Monongalia County Courthouse Plaza
Mills Group completed a conceptual masterplan of the Monongalia County Courthouse building and plaza for the County Commission. The design was based on regional heritage and included a variety of unique design elements to improve the functional needs of the outdoor space.
Careful analysis and exploration of pedestrian access and circulation to— and within—the plaza and building laid the groundwork for the overall concept. A more prominent and welcoming entrance invited pedestrians to the building from High and Walnut Streets. Well-defined transitional spaces allowed for ease of access and greater community use. A glass river that is backlit and changes colors depicting the Monongahela River was designed to “flow” through the courtyard, providing an interactive public art component. In addition, the original water fountain that had been missing for several years was located in a neighboring town and modified by local artist Jamie Lester before being reinstalled. The Courthouse Plaza is now a much-used public gathering spot. This project was awarded the Associated Builders & Contractors 2018 Excellence in Construction Award.
Upgrades include an exterior ADA ramp and interior chair lift.
Design elements include:
- An outline of the Monongahela River embedded in the plaza hardscape
- Planned focal points utilizing low-maintenance native foliage, an historic fountain and existing memorial plaques
- Timeline design featuring local history embedded in metal in the plaza hardscape
- Location: Morgantown, WV
- Client: Monongalia County Commission
- Services: Planning
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