About

The conservatory will be the first academic building of App State’s Innovation District, located at the site of the former Broyhill Inn and Conference Center on Bodenheimer Drive. This facility, which is included in the first development phase for the district, will include cross-disciplinary collaboration and encourage K–12 partnerships. Other components of phase one include faculty and staff housing and a district energy system.

Paired with the adjacent Nature Preserve, the conservatory will advance knowledge surrounding the natural and cultural history of the Southern Appalachian region, allowing the App State Community and visitors to:

• understand the natural history and economic importance of our region’s biodiversity; and
• gain a heightened appreciation of the research and creative endeavors being conducted at App State.

The approximately 50,000-square-foot facility will have up to four different climate zones in its conservatory portion, as well as a full suite of biology laboratories, classroom space and large event spaces, with adjacent public and research gardens designed to showcase the biodiversity of regional flora.

Additionally, the conservatory will be among the nation’s first academic research facilities built to the rigorous sustainability standards of the Living Building Challenge (LBC) — meaning the building must generate more energy than it uses and be made of materials that are healthy for the environment, with all water captured and treated on site.

The conservatory will build on existing opportunities available through the Department of Biology’s teaching and research facilities.

Status

App State’s targeted opening date for the conservatory is 2025. Construction for the Innovation District's first phase of development began in late July 2023, with the installation of erosion control fences and the removal of trees.

Recently completed construction work at the Innovation District site includes the drilling of geothermal wells and the installation of lateral piping that connects the wells. These wells are part of a geothermal system — a component of the district's zero-carbon energy system — that will serve both the conservatory and the faculty and staff housing. Additionally, land grading at the site, along with the installation of stormwater and sewer systems, is nearing completion. Construction has begun for the building that will serve as a control center for the district’s zero-carbon energy system.

A ceremonial groundbreaking for the first development phase of the Innovation District, which includes the conservatory, was held March 25, 2022.

App State hired architectural engineering firm Clark Nexsen to conduct a feasibility study for the conservatory, and the firm presented its report on Jan. 30, 2019 — after weeks of meeting with a variety of stakeholders to determine the best mix of gardens, conservatory, labs and meeting space. The report was reviewed by university leaders, and App State has selected Radnor Property Group LLC (Radnor) to manage the conservatory’s design and construction.

Architecture firm Lord Aeck Sargent is the university’s selected designer for the conservatory, and Muter Construction and Greene Construction are serving as joint venture partners for the facility’s construction. The University of North Carolina System Board of Governors approved the pre-development letter of intent for the district’s first phase in July 2022. This agreement with Radnor will allow App State to deliver phase one of the Innovation District as quickly and efficiently as possible. Academic programming for the facility was determined in spring 2022.

This conceptual rendering of App State’s Innovation District shows options for the project, including the Conservatory for Biodiversity Education and Research, housing for faculty and staff, and shared parking. Graphic courtesy of Brailsford & Dunlavey

How is it funded?

Expenses for the conservatory feasibility study completed by Clark Nexsen were paid with state funds through App State’s Division of Academic Affairs.

Funding allocated to App State by the North Carolina General Assembly as part of the FY 2021–22 biennial budget bill, signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper on Nov. 18, 2021, allows the university to begin work on the conservatory. The budget includes $79 million for capital projects — including $54 million in non-recurring funds to begin work on the Innovation District — and $43.15 million for one-time repair and renovation project support.

At its March 24, 2023, meeting, App State’s Board of Trustees authorized an additional $7.5 million in funding for the conservatory project, which was approved by the UNC System Board of Governors during the board’s April 2023 meeting.

Who will benefit?

Students in App State’s College of Arts and Sciences and their faculty mentors will use the conservatory’s state-of-the art research space for basic and applied research. Visitors, including K-12 students and community members, will benefit from the scientific exhibits and demonstrations informed by the research conducted at the facility.

How does it support UNC System Goals and Metrics?

App State can produce more graduates in the critical workforce areas for North Carolina — identified in the UNC System’s strategic plan as STEM, K-12 education, health sciences, and emerging workforce areas — who are capable of addressing the needs of the world.