About

The planned renovation of Edwin Duncan Hall includes adding and refurbishing elevators, making repairs to the building’s exterior, installing a new sprinkler system and completely revamping the facility’s HVAC system.

Constructed in 1965, Edwin Duncan Hall contains office space, classrooms and labs and has undergone numerous, small renovations over the years. The nearly 98,000-square-foot facility will be completely gutted as part of the renovation, with a goal of improving and adapting the space to current and future programming needs — which includes offering more technologically advanced classrooms.

This artist’s rendering depicts what App State’s Edwin Duncan Hall might look like once renovations to the building are complete. This image does not reflect the finalized renovation design. Graphic courtesy of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture

This artist’s rendering shows what Edwin Duncan Hall might look like once the building’s renovations are complete. Graphic courtesy of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture

App State’s Edwin Duncan Hall will undergo a nearly $27 million renovation, with construction slated to begin soon. Photo by Chase Reynolds

This aerial photo, taken Sept. 10, 2024, provides a view of the construction progress on App State's Edwin Duncan Hall, pictured in the foreground. The project is slated for completion in August 2025. Photo by Wes Craig

Construction progress for the renovation of App State's Edwin Duncan Hall, as of Aug. 16, 2024. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Workers are pictured in the area located below the second-story Octagon portion of App State's Edwin Duncan Hall, where they are installing new water, sewer and electrical utilities, as well as fiber-optic cables, as part of the facility's renovation. This photo was taken July 15, 2024. Photo by Chase Reynolds

This photo, taken July 15, 2024, shows workers in the area located below the second-story Octagon portion of App State's Edwin Duncan Hall, where they are installing new water, sewer and electrical utilities, as well as fiber-optic cables, as part of the facility's renovation. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Demolition of Edwin Duncan Hall's exterior is underway, as pictured in this image taken June 19, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

As shown in this June 19, 2024, image, parts of the concrete slab below the second-story Octagon portion of Edwin Duncan Hall have been removed to allow for the installation of new water, sewer and electrical utilities, as well as fiber-optic cables. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Interior demolition and abatement work continue for App State's Edwin Duncan Hall, which is under renovation. The front of the building is pictured on May 16, 2024. Photo by Kyla Willoughby

This image, taken April 24, 2024, provides a front view of App State's Edwin Duncan Hall, which is under renovation. Interior demolition for the building’s second and third floors is underway. Photo by Kyla Willoughby

The renovation of App State's Edwin Duncan Hall is underway, with interior demolition taking place. Edwin Duncan Hall is pictured in the foreground of this aerial image, taken March 12, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Construction work for the renovation of App State's Edwin Duncan Hall began in late December 2023. Fencing has been installed around the construction site, which is partially visible in this aerial photo of the building, taken January 30, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

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Status

Preparation work for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project’s renovation began in June 2023 and construction is underway, having begun in late December 2023. The renovation project is 40% complete, as of September 2024, and is slated for completion in August 2025.

Construction work has moved to the third floor, where framing is now complete, sprinkler system installation is in progress and mechanical and in-wall plumbing work is ongoing. Various structural repairs have taken place for the third floor and are ongoing. Upcoming construction work for the project includes pouring the footings for the new entryway, as well as placing framing in the first and second floors and installing in-wall electrical wiring for the third floor.

All parking in front of Edwin Duncan Hall and in the Octagon space under the building is closed due to the construction. Two rows on the west side of the building closest to the Peacock Lot will remain open. Spaces in front of Rankin Hall will also remain open, as will access to the Varsity Gym loading area facing Rankin Hall. View a map of the parking area near Edwin Duncan Hall.

Swing office space has been made available in East Hall for Edwin Duncan Hall faculty and staff displaced by the renovation. Classes and labs for the 2024–25 academic year are being accommodated in various academic buildings across App State’s Boone campus. Certain classes that were held in Wey Hall, which is also undergoing renovation, are being held in the second-level Edwin Duncan Hall Octagon, which was prepared for occupancy in August 2024; these classes are Ceramics, Printmaking, and Foundations II Woodshop. Thanks to the quick work of App State’s Facility Operations, Department of Art and Information Technology Services, as well as Vannoy Construction, McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture and engineering firm Salas O'Brien, the Edwin Duncan Hall Octagon was made ready for students returning for the fall 2024 semester.

McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the designer for the project, and Vannoy Construction, located in Jefferson, North Carolina, serves as the project’s construction manager.

How is it funded?

To date, App State has received $26.8 million in state-allocated funding for the renovation of Edwin Duncan Hall. Nearly $21 million in project support, which includes $800,000 reserved for HVAC and lighting improvements, was allocated to App State as part of the 2021–22 biennial budget bill. The university received an additional $6 million in support — an inflationary adjustment — for the project as part of the 2023–24 biennial budget bill.

Who will benefit?

App State students, faculty, staff are set to benefit from the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation. Investing in the development of App State’s physical infrastructure supports and elevates the university’s educational mission — and empowers the vast human potential on App State’s campus.

How does it support UNC System Goals and Metrics?

Providing the best environment for teaching and learning can impact recruitment and retention of students, faculty and staff.