Building Blocks - Issue 43

Project Focus: Landing Dental Spa

Dentists Heather Ayers and Carly Lemley approached Mills Group about designing a landmark building for their business that would expand their capacity and provide a comfortable atmosphere for patients and employees alike. Their practice has been growing and a new space was needed to continue to grow their successful brand.

The clean, angular structure sits amongst other community amenities, including a large church, two housing developments, business, retail, and food service.

Patients are greeted with a relaxing waiting area that resembles an inspiring living room. During visits, patients welcome the natural light and views of the outdoors, while experiencing gentle care from the practitioners. Heather and Carly accommodate their staff in a welcoming lounge that doubles as a kitchen and conference/learning area. This semi-private area communicates well with their private offices and workout area. The Landing Dental Spa is a wonderful addition to the Cheat Landing development.

Employee Focus: New Employee - Tyler Gray

Tyler Gray is the Landscape Designer for Mills Group in Morgantown. He is a key figure in the Landscape & Planning sector of Mills Group and works fluidly between digital modeling, animations, renderings, planning documents, and planting design/layout.

Hailing from Elkins, Tyler graduated in 2020 from WVU with a BS in Landscape Architecture. Having been an intern with Mills Group for 2+ years prior and forming great relationships with the members of the Morgantown office, it was a natural fit to come on full-time and make an ever-growing name for himself.

In his free time, Tyler loves spending time with his friends and family, playing video games, hiking/camping, listening to music, growing hot peppers, and partaking in anything that has to do with Yankees baseball.

Employee Focus: New Employee - Abraham Pineda

Abraham Pineda is an Architectural Design Associate for Mills Group in Morgantown's downtown office. Abraham provides architectural production assistance and design work to the project managers via 3D models and construction drawings.

Originally born in Cuba, Abraham moved to Miami, Florida when he was 15. Following in the footsteps of his partner Laura, who was already living in West Virginia, Abraham decided to move north and start his professional career shortly after obtaining his master's degree in Architecture from Florida International University.

When not working and producing designs for Mills Group, Abraham can be found outdoors where he loves to find new adventures and challenges.

Employee Focus: New Intern - Samuel Fisher

Samuel Fisher recently started interning at Mills Group in our interior design department. He's in his final year of Interior Design at West Virginia University with a focus on Sustainable Design and Construction. After graduation, he wants to become a professional interior architect in hopes of designing projects all over the world.

He is most proud of completing three internships at the Walt Disney Resort and studying abroad twice in Prague, Germany and London, England. Originating from Friendsville, Maryland, Samuel enjoys traveling to new places and learning history and experiencing new cultures.

Employee Focus: New Intern - Gabrielle DiDonato

Gabrielle DiDonato recently started interning at Mills Group in our interior design department. She is a senior at West Virginia University studying Interior Design and minoring in Business Administration. Originally from Bear, Delaware, Gabrielle heard about the Mills Group Internship through her classmates and professors.

She is most proud of building a screened in porch with her dad in their backyard. She also donated two of her paintings to be auctioned off at a gala in Delaware. Both paintings sold for over $700 and the profits went towards Leukemia Research.

In her free time, Gabrielle loves painting, photography, traveling and going to the beach.

Employee Focus: New Intern - Joseph Harold

Joseph Harold, a Fairmont native, recently started as an Architecture Intern for Mills Group in Morgantown’s downtown office. Joseph provides architectural production assistance and design work to the project managers. He is in his final year at Fairmont State University studying Architecture.

His biggest achievement is being a positive role model to his younger siblings. In his free time, Joseph loves biking, cooking, listening to music and working out.

Technology Focus: Glowforge - Mills Group Workshop

Mills Group is proud to announce the grand opening of our very own laser engraving and custom design Workshop! By combining knowledge of the historical architecture and design within West Virginia, our very own laser engraver, and a little touch of creative vision, we’re now able to craft an ever-expanding list of customized gifts, artwork, and wearables just to name a few.

Currently in the Workshop are historic maps engraved on beautiful wood plates, intricate 3-dimensional shadow boxes of some of WV’s most notable locations, and desktop/business sets including phone cradles, business card holders, and pen boxes. Click the link below to check it out!

https://wvlivingcollection.com/collections/mills-group-workshop

OCDA

The OCDA Sports Complex is nearing completion and is now occupied. There remains a few final interior and exterior detailing and embellishments that will wrap-up the project. The building has been under a “soft opening” with various sports camps, scrimmages and sports demonstrations since early August. Everyone has been impressed with the quality of the facility and are excited to have such a nice addition to the region.

D&E Myles Center

Construction is nearing completion on the addition and renovations at the Myles Center for the Arts and Myles Plaza at Davis & Elkins College. Mills Group has provided full Architecture and Landscape Architecture services for this $6.6M project which will be finished this fall. When complete, the new space will provide extensive student gathering and seminar areas, and will be the premier event facility for this region of West Virginia. Inspired by musical influences, the exterior plaza features an outdoor classroom, gathering area, and an event space. It showcases a 10-foot tall bronze sculpture commissioned by the donor, June Myles. Her generous gift is transforming the building and the plaza, serving the campus and local community.

Black Oak

Black Oak Building 2 is part of a masterplan for office and retail space located in the Cheat Lake Area of Morgantown. This 3-story building is designed with a modern contemporary flare and will be capable of accommodating a variety of business opportunities. The brick and metal structure features large exterior windows with sweeping views of the surrounding area. With direct access off of Rt. 43, the future business park is easily accessed and in close proximity of Morgantown’s ever expanding footprint. The building which is approximately 29,000 square feet, has upscale public elevator lobbies with centralized restrooms. Currently the 3^rd Floor is leased and designed as executive office space.

Our Lady Of Peace

The Our Lady of Peace project is progressing further with the completion of brick masonry and weather proofing of the exterior facades. Sidewalks are approximately 90% complete and grading of the parking lot is underway. As for the interior, plumbing and ductwork are advancing. Metal framing has just finished and drywall sheathing is beginning within the interior. The project is set for completion at the end of October.