Structural & Architectural Support for Unique Hospitality Project in West Virginia
We’re seeking a skilled architect and/or engineer—ideally with experience in hospitality or experiential design—for a unique nature-forward project, located in Mount Lookout, West Virginia.
We already have a master site plan and are using prefabricated units for most (but not all) guest accommodations. However, we need dedicated design and engineering support for two key components:
Architectural Scope
We're looking for someone to provide construction documents for:
- Cave suites – horizontally blasted into a sandstone cliff
- A support building – manager's apartment + UTV parking garage, storage, laundry, and a staff break space
Required deliverables:
Floor Plans – showing walls (and wall types), doors, windows, rooms, and dimensions
Roof Plan – slope, drainage, materials, and penetrations
Elevations – exterior views with material and height detail
Building Sections – vertical relationships and construction cut-throughs
Door & Window Schedules – including sizes, types, and hardware
Interior Details – built-ins, stairs, millwork, and key finish elements
Plans must be stamped by a WV-licensed architect.
Please let us know if you’re licensed in West Virginia, or if you'd collaborate with a local architect for stamping. Include estimated fees for both paths.
Structural Engineering Scope
We’re also seeking engineering support for two major structural elements:
1. Cave Suite
2. Cantilevered Glass Cabins: Steel-framed prefabricated units (customizable). Proposed dimensions: 36' long × 12' wide (includes a 6' front balcony). Shooting for 12-18' cantilevered off a cliff edge. The cliff is Nuttall sandstone with visible fracturing (pending geotech analysis). The goal is to find the sweet spot between cost and visual impact- "wow" factor.
All structural drawings must be stamped by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE), who will take responsibility for the structural safety and code compliance of the design. This includes engineering for the cave dwellings and cantilevered cabins.
Structural Plans Deliverables:
Foundation Plan – footings, piers, slabs, grade beams, etc.
Framing Plans – for floors, roof, and walls (steel, wood, or concrete systems).
Structural Details – connections, reinforcements, bracing, etc.
Design Calculations – signed/sealed by a structural engineer.
Additional work pending: elevated glass Dome treehouses will line our whitewater frontage—design and engineering will be needed once the concept is finalized.
Site Context
Waterfalls Nordic Spa: Communal Hot/cold pools and a glass-front sauna surround waterfall
Riverfront: Dome treehouses will line our whitewater frontage (image to be provided)—design will be needed once concept is finalized. In addition, a communal hot pool/sauna overlooking the river.
Cantilvered glass cabins: overhanging a cliff edge overlooking a massive white water gorge
Caves: Luxury cave dwellings overlooking the white water from 200' above.
If you're passionate about designing unforgettable experiences and feel aligned with the aesthetic and technical needs of this project, we’d love to connect. Please include:
- A brief intro
- Portfolio with relevant work
- Availability and timeline
- Fee structure or ballpark estimate (for both architectural and/or engineering services)
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Ziad & Emily
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