Photo by ZMM Architects & Engineers.
Photo by ZMM Architects & Engineers.
at the front with the ability to monitor entrances. The SBA also guides ADA compliance, accessible internal circulation, connectors between buildings, proper restrooms, HVAC and daylight strategies to support inclusivity and comfort.”
Equity also drives the SBA’ s mission. Neptune says many of the SBA’ s NEEDS Grants and Major Improvement Projects are prioritized for rural or low-income counties facing aging infrastructure, safety deficiencies or overcrowding. He refers to projects such as the $ 15.7 million pre-K-8 facility in Wyoming County, which replaced an aging wood structure, and the $ 15.6 million consolidation of two Fayette County schools into the new Midland Trail Elementary. From new school builds such as these to major renovations like White Sulphur Springs Elementary in Greenbrier County, students and educators are seeing the benefits firsthand.
“ In both of these examples, district heads credited SBA support with both improved learning environments and teacher retention,” Neptune says.
In West Virginia’ s independent higher education sector, campus facilities play a vital role in academic outcomes and overall experiences for students. Ben Beakes, executive director for West Virginia Independent Colleges and Universities, says the connection between learning spaces and students is clear. He shares Neptune’ s sentiment that the quality of air, natural lighting and temperature are important but also touches on the importance of first impressions.
“ The quality of facilities is one of the first impressions colleges and universities make on prospective and current students,” Beakes says.“ They can serve as a recruitment and retention tool or a deterrent. Being clean is not enough. Our students should have the ability to visualize themselves learning and growing both academically and socially in our facilities.”
Along with the quality of facilities, building layouts play a crucial role in supporting accessibility and collaborative learning. Beakes says a well-designed layout can enhance academic outcomes and align physical space with modern pedagogical approaches.
“ Universal design principles aim to be usable by all people, regardless of ability,” he says.“ Beyond strategically placed elevators and other ADA accessibility features, locating faculty offices, career and student success centers, tutoring and counseling near academic classrooms improves student access to support services. Further, West Virginia’ s unique terrain can lend to unique design qualities where multi-floor structures can have groundfloor access on multiple levels.”
Energy efficiency and sustainability have also become priorities in recent years. Beakes says a large expense for a university is energy and utilities.
“ Every effort to become more energy efficient not only saves costs over time but also gives us the ability to install modern technology with greater capabilities,” he says.“ Retrofitting older areas to more energy efficient models can be costly, however. As we plan for new projects, incorporating energy efficiency from the beginning gives the university more flexibility and it becomes more cost-effective.”
Whether in higher or early education, the spaces where students spend time learning matter. In Cabell County, an abandoned retail space has been transformed into the Woody Williams Center for Advanced Learning and Careers, a workforce development and career readiness hub. Designed by ZMM Architects & Engineers, the center represents a forward-thinking approach to education.
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