Last updated on May 24th, 2024 at 02:50 pm
As described in the song by John Denver, West Virginia’s country roads all lead home. Located in the Appalachian Mountains, the Mountain State provides residents with a romantic place to live. The picturesque forests are striking once autumn arrives. West Virginia also has easy accessibility, due to the many bridges that connect its rolling hills. Many have fallen in love with West Virginia; for this reason, a lot of music has been created inspired by the state.
Another reason for picking West Virginia as a place to call home is the affordable properties it offers. To help build your dream home, the list below includes seven of the most outstanding architects in the state. All members of the American Institute of Architects, these experts have been in the industry for almost one decade and up to a century. Spending years in the business, these architects have collected a number of projects showcasing their expertise in architecture.
Silling Architects
405 Capitol St, Upper Atrium, Charleston, WV 25301
Established in 1902, Silling Architects has over a century of built legacy. Specializing in different styles including contemporary arts and crafts, the firm has provided top-notch services in West Virginia and Florida. Over the years, the firm has exhibited outstanding architecture, planning, and interior design services. For these reasons, it has remained one of the top firms influencing West Virginia’s architectural landscape.
Consistently recognized by AIA in its design awards, Silling Architects has produced a multitude of award-winning projects. One of these is the Moses Private Residence in Barboursville, West Virginia. In this new construction project, the firm has provided architectural services for a 6,000-square-foot home. Located in a forty-acre wooded site, the newly-built home is like a part of the woods with the natural materials used in the design. The firm’s expertise in contemporary arts and crafts style is reflected in the home’s detailing and handcrafted elements. Sustainability has been their priority during the design process, earning the project the AIA WV Merit Award for Sustainability.
Silling Architects has remained in the business for over 119 years because of its outstanding leadership. Tom Potts and Jody Driggs, both AIA and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards members, currently lead the firm as principals. Both have served as the president of AIA West Virginia. They are both University of Tennessee alumni.
Dolores John Architect
344 Jackson Ave, Morgantown, WV 26501
Named the Best Architect of Morgantown twice, Dolores John, AIA, leads her firm to the top. With expertise in residential and commercial architecture, John and her firm serve clients in Morgantown, Martinsburg, and Bridgeport. Aside from her skills in architecture and project administration, John is an expert in interior design as well. Her experiences in construction and as a licensed realtor massively help clients in finding and building the home they envision.
For Dolores John Architects, each project is unique, and they provide idividualized attention to create the best solution for each client. A sample of the firm’s unique creations is the Morgantown Residence. In this project, the firm has completed a low-country inspired home. Taking advantage of the rolling hills surrounding the house, the firm has built a porch where homeowners can enjoy the stunning view. The back of the home is designed with the same intention; an outdoor swimming pool and an eating area are present to fully maximize outdoor living in West Virginia.
Founded in 2006, Dolores John Architects is a master in different styles including farmhouse, craftsman, and dutch colonial. Its vision is to design homes that are both elegant and functional, perfect for its clients’ aspirations.
Mills Group
88 High St, Morgantown, WV 26505
Another Morgantown-based firm, Mills Group is a three-time winner of Best of Morgantown, Architectural Firm. Established in 2005, the firm’s goal is to improve communities by looking into the past and future. The firm uses up-to-date design techniques while respecting architecture’s rich history. The results are modern, timeless designs. Its group of architects, designers, and historians work together to fully understand the needs of the clients as well as the history of the site or building. From there, it develops a design that satisfies the needs of the clients while respecting the site’s historical context. This is how the firm builds exceptional designs that stand the test of time.
Providing services in Wheeling, Shepherdstown, and Morgantown, Mills Group is an expert in various home styles. Its mastery includes Cape Cod, craftsman, contemporary, and Queen Anne style. Whether it be residential architecture, preservation, or interior design, the firm is one to trust. A sample of its impressive projects is the Cheat Lake Residence. This modified French Country-style home sits perfectly above Cheat Lake. Located in Morgantown, the home was built with the exceptional view in mind. The firm included large overhangs and porches into the design, serving as viewing areas in the house. The front facade is a stunner, inviting owners to enter and relax into a charming, cozy home.
Guiding the firm in producing stunning designs are Ryan Hess, RA, and Michael Mills, AIA. Mills is a member of NCARB; he graduated with a Building Science and Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Hess is a LEED Accredited Professional with a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering degree at West Virginia University.
Ed Weber Architects
1856 Loudon Heights Rd, Charleston, WV 25314
Ed Weber Architects has been providing architectural planning and design services to clients throughout West Virginia and their newest location in Florida since 2012. The firm employs a customer-oriented approach to each of its projects, tailoring their designs to the specific needs, style, and budget of their clients. Whether it be new construction, renovation, historic preservation, urban or rural, they display great versatility and innovation in response to the technical challenges and aesthetic demands of their projects. With more than thirty-five years of experience in the field, Ed Weber has accumulated a wealth of experience working to make the process of home building between their clients and the contractors they hire a mutually satisfying and rewarding experience. And the results speak for themselves.
Ed Weber Architects has become one of the most sought-after residential architects in West Virginia for their ability to adapt the homes they design to the rugged hilly conditions found throughout the Appalachian mountain region. Each project begins with an analysis of the location for the views, orientation, and landscape features that make the site unique so that their homes blend harmoniously with the land. Their homes are designed to withstand the harsh environment with high performance, energy-efficient, and sustainable design principles. As a hub for outdoor recreation and adventure, their West Virginia homes offer the best in indoor comfort and outdoor entertainment.
AM Architecture
325 Pembroke Dr, Triadelphia, WV 26059
Successfully interpreting the vision of each client – from the very first conversations to the final design, has been the hallmark of AM Architecture and architect Adam Mull since the firm’s founding in 2005. A magna cum laude graduate of the prestigious Virginia Tech College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Mull’s projects have included unique commercial and custom residential designs, including many exclusive resort homes at The Greenbrier Sporting Club. Developing a relationship with each client in order to understand what is most important to them has provided Mull with a reputation for creating projects that truly embody the owner’s personality. The result of these collaborations has been a collection of exceptional designs that have well-exceeded each client’s expectations.
Mull’s portfolio includes an impressive array of luxury home designs, including the spectacular Fairway Cottage 9 at The Greenbrier Sporting Club. This expansive home features cathedral ceilings and wide windows that provide every room with a magnificent four-season view of the Greenbrier Golf course and the surrounding Allegheny Mountains. This impressive design was the winner of the Best of West Virginia 2009 Builders Award for Best New Residential Home.
AM Architecture continues to craft custom homes and unique buildings throughout West Virginia and nationwide that result in design excellence and satisfied clients.
ETB Architects
101 Rockledge Ave, Princeton, WV 24740
Established in 1966, ETB Architects has more than half a century of experience in the industry. Over the years, it has collected several accolades, including Princeton/Mercer County Chamber of Commerce’s Excel Award. As one of the senior firms in the industry, the firm has been an essential part of community building. It helps communities by providing residential and commercial architecture, land planning, and professional consulting services. Within West Virginia, it serves clients in South Charleston, Princeton, Snowshoe, and Glade Spring.
When it comes to home styles, ETB Architects is an expert in craftsman and modern designs. One of the homes it has built in Southwest Virginia is the Private Estate below. This two-story craftsman home features a covered front porch and handcrafted details. The earth tones are carried from the exterior to the home’s interior. The firm has successfully made the house look organic in the country’s natural setting.
Founded by Ted Boggess, the firm is currently supervised by his son Todd Boggess, AIA, NCARB. Taking lessons from his father, Todd Boggess guides the firm into the new century. He mixes his father’s principles and high ethical standards with his education from the Clemson University School of Architecture.
Rosalind E. Welsh
Summit Point, West Virginia 25446
Rosalind E. Welsh is a sole proprietor that has built the firm through referrals. Each previous customer, colleague, and friend can testify to the excellent services Welsh provides. With licenses in West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia, Welsh has excelled in the field for thirty-one years. Welsh is an expert in both residential and commercial architecture. When it comes to residential projects, she has a wide range of expertise in different styles including cottage and craftsman.
Since 1990, Welsh has designed homes that answer clients’ goals and needs. In West Virginia, she has served clients living in Shepherdstown, Harpers Ferry, and Berkeley County. A sample of Welsh’s successful projects is this home located next to the woods. Showcasing an all-American style, this craftsman home features thick window trims and shake siding. A front porch is one of the most essential parts of the home, offering a relaxing space with nature’s view.
Rosalind Welsh is a hands-on entrepreneur that has consistently met client expectations. Using her past experiences and degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, she produces designs that perfectly fit the client’s vision.
