Building Blocks - Issue 47

Project Focus: Tygart Hotel

The firm was hired by the Woodlands Development Group to renovate the historic Tygart Hotel in Elkins, WV. Our design of the 56-room boutique hotel maintains the historic integrity of the building while adapting it to a modern use. The design includes a full restaurant and bar on the first floor and a banquet room that will lead out to a balcony on the second floor.

The interior design preserves iconic elements from the original construction and pays homage to the local industries, history, and artisans. The modern, comfortable rooms will highlight the culture of not only Elkins, but the region as well. Queen, Double Queen, King, and King Suites will be available.

Once completed, the renovated hotel will stimulate Elkins’ economy and reinvigorate the downtown area.

Employee Focus: Zenali Martin

Zenali Martin is an Architectural Design Associate in our downtown Shepherdstown office. She provides architectural production assistance and design work to the project managers via 3D models and construction drawings.

Zenali obtained an Associate’s Degree in Computer Aided Design in Architecture and Engineering from the Community College of Baltimore County and a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University of San Carlos. Two accomplishments she is most proud of are winning the CAD Student of the Year 2015-2016 and attending Autodesk University in 2018.

In her free time, Zenali enjoys swimming, sewing, singing, sowing seeds, and slopping ingredients together in a pan (cooking).

Employee Focus: Anniversaries

Chris Clark (8 years), Lance Muscara (6 years), and Alexis Behrens (2 years) all celebrate their Mills Group work anniversary this month! Their dedication and continuous effort to make this company a great place is why we are truly happy they have chosen us as the firm to give their expertise to.

Thank you for everything you are doing. It truly makes Mills Group what it is!

Happy workaversaries!

Tech Focus: New Field Tools - Ricoh Theta Z1

Reality capture and existing conditions documentation is an integral part of our work here at Mills Group. We are constantly on the cutting-edge of technology and are always looking for better ways to streamline our workflow and improve our quality of design. A new device we’ve recently added to our technology toolkit is the Theta Z1 360 camera, the flagship model of Ricoh’s Theta camera series. This device will replace the photo function of our BLK point cloud scanner, saving time in-field, while also streamlining the processing time back in the office.

The camera is equipped with dual fisheye lenses that enable 23-megapixel images in 360 degree photo format. We can then use these photos as an internal reference to our work, as well as share them with clients and consultants using a web-hosting platform for spherical images.

In addition to the imaging capabilities, the camera also has a video function that allows for the creation of spherical, 4k-quality videos that can then be used to map a space or area using photogrammetry software. The implementation of this camera is one of the many ways Mills Group has remained relevant and up-to-date with the latest technologies and strategies.

In the link below, click and drag to view around you, scroll the mouse wheel to zoom in/out, and click the Mills Group icons to transport to a new location.

→ CLICK ME TO SEE AN EXAMPLE OF THE THETA'S CAPABILITIES!!

Tech Focus: New Field Tools - Moasure

The Moasure tool and accompanying software is actually the world's first motion-based measuring tool. By using the small Moasure "puck" (either hand-held or inserted into the companion walking stick hardware) our site planners and architects can take measurements of any interior or exterior surface by using the system's inertial sensors, accelerometers/gyros, and proprietary algorithm. Whether the surface is flat, bumpy, horizontal, vertical, upside-down, curved, angled, multi-surface, or totally irregular, the motion tracking and tracing involved in the practice allows the Moasure software to know its own position in 3D space regardless of any GPS or cell-phone signal.

This workflow allows for extremely fast and accurate site feature measurements that can be saved onto a connected mobile phone and inspected in virtual 3D space while still on site and engaging with the client. This speedy process softens the need for bringing levels, tape measures, laser sights, or other conventional field tools for site visits and truly allows for our crew to measure and document site features organically while reviewing in real time. With various modes to trace and calculate both 2D and 3D area, linear and non-linear distance, gradients, slopes, arcs, angles, and levels, it comes in handy in more ways than one.

These digital measurement files are then exported, via cloud storage, to a destination of our choosing and then subsequently imported into a number of design software applications. From here we can use these dimensions as the bones of our base drawings and models.

Wilson Lodge - Kline Wing

Mills Group's work on the 22,000 square feet of Wilson Lodge's Kline Wing at Oglebay Resort included various levels of renovations to 45 guestrooms. Of these rooms, 34 are "standard" sizes, 4 are slightly larger, 6 are larger yet and require atypical renovations, and 1 will be converted to a fully ADA compliant room

All guestrooms will be modified with new interior fit-outs, restored existing doors, re-painted existing windows, modified partial ceiling work to receive and conceal a new fire suppression system, new lighting, power and IT upgrades, and new fresh air capable PTACs.

Residential Landscape Design

Mills Group prides itself on not only it's architectural prowess, but on site planning and landscape design as well. Whether it be large-scale master planning projects or small-scale residential backyards, our Planning team loves tackling the outdoor spaces.

This past season our Planning folks stayed busy with a surplus of truly enjoyable residential landscape plans, backyard rejuvenation projects, and patio designs. Our drone and field tools got a real workout!

We've had a wonderful time meeting and collaborating with homeowners from around the state and hope to see these projects start construction this coming Spring/Summer.

Ascension Recovery Services

The renovated 10,000-square-foot facility in Westover, WV for WV Sober Living (WVSL) will provide residential housing for 34 individuals and common amenities in addition to an outpatient counseling center. The interior of the building was entirely gutted and remodeled with completely new MEP building systems. The exterior façade is being remodeled and re-branded as well.

Mills Group was hired for Project Administration and Management Services, Pre-design and existing Building Assessment, Schematic Design, Construction Documentation, BIdding/Permitting, Construction Administration, and Post-Occupancy Services. Completion is scheduled for Q2 2022.

Morgantown Industrial Park - Wayfinding Masterplan and Signage Design

Mills Group is extremely excited to be working on the wayfinding masterplan and conceptual signage design for the Morgantown Industrial Park. The guidelines will serve as a comprehensive document in managing the signage information, direction, design/brand, and placement within the Park.

With the site being a popular place for new commercial growth, it's a great time to understand the overall traffic flow and layout as well as to help create standards for visually appealing and intuitively helpful signage across the entire area.