WV Northern Community College

The former railroad station, built in 1908, is a central building of the West Virginia Northern Community College campus where it occupies a prominent location in the heart of the Wheeling historic commercial district. In 1997 the college hired the firm to execute an existing conditions assessment of the terra cotta and copper standing seam roof. Since the original green glazed terra cotta tiles proved to be non-restorable and were no longer available, the firm took careful dimensions and subsequently fabricated custom replicas. The team also researched alternatives to the standing seam copper, reviewed them for a cost effective replacement and decided to design and install a simulated copper coated steel roof.

Furthermore, the team also evaluated the building's terra cotta cornice and performed repair techniques and fully replaced the badly damaged components. The project involved the rehabilitation of 46 rounded dormers and associated windows, asbestos abatement of existing roofing materials, selective masonry restoration, and complex detailing. To implement the project, the team accurately documented as-built conditions which became the basis for construction documents.