Campus Paths and Places - When classes change, as many as 3000 students are moving through the two buildings and the site. Consequently, the design maximizes ways in and out of both buildings, capitalizing on the slope of the site to create “at grade” entrances at four different levels. Paths are organized to link to the existing patterns of movement, integrating stairs and bridges to navigate the grade changes. Places are provided for students to linger and gather. An oval plaza at the front of Oglebay Hall serves memorial functions for the University and incorporates a mast from the USS West Virginia. A terrace between the buildings becomes an intimate outdoor room with a view.

Vehicular Access, Conflict and Parking - By relocating surface parking to the roof of Ming Hsieh Hall and rerouting the service entrance, fragmented pedestrian paths were stitched together and impervious surface area was reduced despite the construction of a new building. A pedestrian bridge crosses University Avenue alleviating the conflict between students and heavy arterial traffic.

Oglebay Hall - Historic Rehabilitation - The National Register listed Beaux Arts classroom building was designed by architect Paul Davis and built in 1917. The vacant deteriorated building was stripped to its masonry shell and wood frame structure. The brick, limestone and terra-cotta exterior was restored and the interior was completely refitted with state-of-the-art classrooms, office and laboratories. The top two floors are now the home of WVU’s Forensic and Investigative Science Program and contain high technology labs including Mitochondrial DNA labs. The lower two floors contain a mix of general purpose classrooms, labs and support spaces. Intensive mechanical systems were integrated into the building utilizing the existing attic and ventilation chimneys avoiding any impact on the building exterior.

Ming Hsieh Hall – Expanded Classroom Capacity - A new classroom building was built to increase capacity for lower level classes in the downtown campus. Ming Hsieh Hall occupies a previously vacant slice of land behind Oglebay Hall with a grade change of over 50’ from College Avenue down to University Avenue. The building is organized around a double height gathering space with two large, technology intensive lecture halls built into the hillside. The new building has its own form and identity while at the same time playing a supporting role in the ensemble of new and old.