Building Blocks - Issue 50

Project Focus: Discovery World

Where science meets history – where fun meets learning is what you will find on the corner of 9^th and Market in Parkersburg, WV. Discovery World on Market is officially open to the public as of April 2, 2023. 5 years ago a dream started to slowly become a reality as the Mills Group was engaged by the Ross Foundation to evaluate the possibilities of repurposing a historic Scottish Rite Building into a community space for families of all ages.

Mills Group worked with the existing building architecture to redesign interior spaces, assist in dozens of wall graphics and wayfinding features, and even design new exterior lighting fixtures. We coordinated with the museum designer to ensure the exhibits worked within the spaces and with MEP engineers and contractors to integrate building systems in the context of the historic building. The end result is an amazing facility with engaging activities such as water tables, interactive media, a ball factory, makerspace, conference/party rooms and so much more.

Employee Focus: Hannah Tarcy

Hannah Tarcy joined Mills Group as the Office Manager and works in our Morgantown location. She is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and assisting in the preparation of proposals and social media posting.

Hannah grew up in Smithfield, Pennsylvania and attended Penn State University where she studied communications before attending the Gemological Institute of America where she graduated in the study of Jewelry Design and Gemology.

In her free time, Hannah enjoys oil painting, designing jewelry, singing, traveling with her family and most of all her Pug/Boston Terrier "Ego."

Employee Focus: Dan Garvin

Dan Garvin joined Mills Group as a Project Manager after having worked at a healthcare architecture firm in Pittsburgh, PA and before that a multidisciplinary architecture and engineering firm that served the state of West Virginia and the mid Atlantic region. Originally from Wheeling, WV, Dan earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master of Architecture from Fairmont State University and is currently in the process of obtaining his architecture license.

With over 10 years of experience, Dan has been involved in a wide range of different project types. The most important thing to him when designing a building is understanding how the occupants will inhabit the space and finding creative solutions to complex problems.

In his free time Dan enjoys traveling as often as possible and experiencing new places, drawing, reading, playing guitar, building things, and spending time outdoors hiking and camping.

Employee Focus: New Interns

Carlina Jacquez

Carlina Jacquez joined Mills Group as in Intern in January of 2023. Originally from Fairmont, she is a third year student athlete at Fairmont State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and running Cross Country. Carlina plans to continue her education in Architecture with intention of gaining a masters in the profession, to follow her undergraduate degree. She believes that the skill development and learning opportunities that she receives as an intern at Mills Group are vital to her education and career goals. In her free time she enjoys mixed media art, reading, and indoor gardening.

Sophia Gum

Sophia Gum joined Mills Group as a Landscape Architecture intern while she finishes her bachelor’s degree in the respective field at West Virginia University. Being a West Virginia native from Lewisburg, she is excited to have the opportunity to further her work experience in the state she has always called home. Sophia hopes that her position can connect fellow classmates and future students to the possibilities and experiences that working with Mills Group can provide.

In her free time, Sophia takes any opportunity to spend time outdoors, draw, or snuggle with her two cats.

Employee Focus: Anniversaries

Jim King (2 years), RJ Spellman (1), and Ryan McClain (6) all recently celebrated their Mills Group work anniversary! 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!

Technology Focus: RANGE 3D Scanner

Mills Group is excited to begin incorporating our new RANGE hand scanner! This super lightweight handheld scanner is capable of quickly scanning small detail projects with a precision of up to 0.1mm at a speed of 18 frames per second.

This expanded ability (in addition to our already heavily used terrestrial 3D point cloud scanner) now allows us to scan and capture all the colors, textures, and tiny details in small objects, historic artifacts, unique and/or one-of-a-kind furniture, miniscule architectural fittings and fasteners, important sculptures/artwork, and even full-scale people!

Mills Group's ability to accurately and timely capture site data continues to grow from our large-scale site drone photogrammetry to entire building interiors with our terrestrial scanner and now even further by grabbing the smallest and most crucial details with the RANGE hand scanner.

Hermitage Hotel Renovation

New life has been breathed into the Hermitage Inn and Taphouse in Petersburg, WV. The upgrades on the hotels rooms have been completed, and the exterior living/lounge space is well under construction. The Mills Group was hired to give design advise to update the existing, detached hotel as well as concepts for renovating the restaurant and common areas located in the historic, road front building.

The hotel upgrades were extensive. A fresh look of the façade was created with a bright fresh white paint and a new entry, while on the inside, old, dated room were transformed into bright, farmhouse inspired boutique guest rooms. A new registration lobby was added to the hotel as well. The new owners requested to a new look to the time-honored restaurant that served the community for so many years. Their desire was to create a taphouse that embodied a casual, relaxing environment. After a day or taking in all that Petersburg and the surround area has to offer, the Mills Group was to design a space to relax and enjoy

Clear Mountain Bank Opening

The Suncrest Branch of Clear Mountain Bank celebrated it’s Grand Opening on April 3^rd with a celebratory “Light Up Night” of it’s iconic green mountain wave mounted to the building. Designed to resemble the iconic piece of the company’s logo, the element provides a unique architectural feature while also illuminating interior and exterior elements of the new branch as the sign begins at the exterior screenwall, ascends to the roof, and then returns and punctuates in the Main Conference Room.

Dave Thomas, President & CEO, called on Mills Group to create a design for a new bank branch that also had the potential to become a billboard for Clear Mountain Bank. The site location in the Suncrest area is situated on the corner Rte. 705 and Maple Drive, one of the most active four-way intersections in Monongalia County.

The new 2,300-square-foot facility provides many new amenities including the bank’s video teller service that enables customers to bank during extended hours with a live video teller from the comfort of their car. Addition features include secure self-serve safe deposit boxes, a tech/coffee bar, three banking offices, a meeting room, and three drive-thru lanes. We designed the main spatial components of the bank to reflect the hierarchy of the customer as the main focus and the supporting spatial components focusing on the staff.

Architecturally, this landmark boasts contemporary design aesthetics viewed from 360 degrees with clean lines; the interior reflects the most recent Mills Group design in their Pierpont branch; large glass curtainwalls offer great views of the area for both the customers and the staff.

Tygart Hotel Renovation

Work on the Tygart hotel in Elkins, West Virginia continues to develop. This winter saw the completion of the designs for the balcony and main entrance as well as the elevator hoist-way pit section of the hotel.

While these milestones were reached, general construction throughout the rest of the hotel continues at a furious pace. Floors Five and Six are being dry-walled and prepped for their finishing treatments such as paint, ceilings and flooring. The mid-floors are moving along with their infrastructure such as electrical, HVAC and plumbing.

This summer should see the installation and operation of the elevators.

The Mills Group, Stone Mile Group, and all of the contractors are diligently working to create a cornerstone in the Historic Downtown District of Elkins, West Virginia.

Jefferson County Courthouse

Mills Group is excited to share in the completion of the Jefferson County Courthouse Third Floor Courtroom Renovation, located in Steubenville, Ohio.

The Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners hired Mills Group to lead the renovation of the 1,325 sq.ft. courtroom. New interior finishes included carpeting, luxury vinyl tile, acoustical ceiling and lighting. The existing walls, which had been clad in a stained oak veneer paneling, were modified by removing the paneling to a wainscot height and capping it with a new chair rail. The existing plaster behind the paneling was repaired and then painted.

The Jury Box and Witness Stand where modified to comply with current ADA standards; as well as the judge’s bench, court reporter and court clerk spaces. Existing furnishings throughout the courtroom including tables, chairs, lectern, and fixed bench seating were refinished. A new wood paneled back drop and decorative moldings were added behind the judge’s bench to accentuate the front of the courtroom.