Strada means “street” in Italian. Streets matter to us. They’re the fundamental infrastructure of our cities and the core of our civic lives. They’re the connections between buildings, people, and public spaces. This is why we’re so inspired by them and it’s a shared commitment to these values that brought our principals together. Just as people mingle on city streets, our office is a place where we freely exchange ideas, challenging and inspiring one another to create exceptional work.
Sustainability is fundamentally about having the humility to use only what we need, live within our means, and let the specific climate and ecosystem of our region inform our daily lives. It lies in the humble acknowledgement of mistakes, and the sacrifice to change our way of life.
College of Law Master Plan and Classroom Renovations
Law school building before project began
Area of renovation and addition envisioned by Master Plan
Initial master plan rendering
Rendering of light-filled hall
Dawn Peterson facilitates a session with the client for feedback and discussion
A lecture classroom that was renovated in the first phase of implementation
Renovated Moot Court
Renovated lecture classroom
Planning to reinvent a stronghold of legal education
Services
Architecture
Interior Design
Details
CLIENT
West Virginia University
LOCATION
Morgantown, West Virginia
SIZE
Renovation of 113,000 SF, addition of 30,000 SF
SCOPE
Master planning, architecture, space planning, interior design
About the project
During a 15-month process, Strada engaged faculty, students, alumni, administrators, and planners in an interactive exchange of ideas, concepts, and programming plans to develop a comprehensive master plan for the expansion of West Virginia’s College of Law. Strada helped the College envision elegant, light-filled spaces that work together as part of a highly organized facility for the school community. The resulting master plan embraced the core values and future vision of the University, and it is being realized in multiple phases of renovation and expansion of the existing structures.
Phase 1 of the master plan addressed the College of Law’s single-story wing with renovations to four main lecture halls and the Moot Court. Many design and technological challenges were inherent in this 1970s-era building, but ultimately Strada implemented sophisticated solutions that brought the classrooms up to date and elevated the morale of both students and faculty. The second phase was completed in spring 2014, bringing a 30,000-sf addition as well as further renovations.
“I remember reviewing all of the submissions for the bid and it was clear to me and to everyone else at the table that Strada’s proposal was of far higher quality than any other. This quality has come to define all that Strada has done and continues to do for us.”
– Joyce McConnell, Provost (former Dean of the College of Law)
