April 2026
The Thrasher Group has received two design awards from the American Institute of Architects West Virginia (AIA WV) at the organization’s 2026 Design Awards Gala and Scholarship Benefit, held April 18 at Hotel Morgan in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Thrasher was recognized for its work on two elementary schools — projects that reflect the firm’s commitment to improving communities through thoughtful, lasting design.
Coalfield Elementary School — Merit Award for New Construction
Coalfield Elementary School in Welch, West Virginia received a Merit Award for New Construction — one of the program’s top honors in that category. The Merit Award recognizes projects that demonstrate exceptional design quality, a clear and resolved concept, and meaningful impact on the communities they serve.
Coalfield Elementary represents Thrasher’s integrated approach to educational design: a facility built not just to house students, but to inspire them. Designed with the specific needs of the McDowell County community in mind, the project balances functional performance with an environment that fosters learning, safety, and pride of place.
Alderson Elementary School — Citation for New Construction
Alderson Elementary School also received recognition from AIA West Virginia, earning a Citation for New Construction. The Citation acknowledges projects with notable design merit and a strong contribution to their community context.
Alderson Elementary reflects the same principles that guide Thrasher’s educational work — understanding the local community, designing for long-term use, and delivering a facility that serves students and educators well into the future.
About the AIA West Virginia Design Awards
The AIA WV Design Awards program recognizes architectural work that demonstrates design quality and meaningful impact on communities across West Virginia and beyond. This year’s awards were determined through a blind jury process led by Christopher Meyers, FAIA, of Meyers+Associates in Columbus, Ohio. Projects were evaluated on clarity of concept, execution, and long-term impact.
Thrasher’s Commitment to Educational Design
These recognitions underscore Thrasher’s long-standing role as a trusted partner for schools and public institutions across West Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region. From programming and design through construction administration, our team brings the full depth of our in-house capabilities to every educational project — with a focus on delivering environments where students can thrive.
Thrasher is grateful to AIA West Virginia for this recognition, and to the communities, school boards, and project partners who trust us with work that matters.
The Thrasher Group is a full-service architecture, engineering, and survey firm headquartered in Bridgeport, West Virginia. Founded in 1983, Thrasher is the largest privately owned firm of its kind in West Virginia and serves clients across the Mid-Atlantic region.