The Edwin Duncan Hall renovation is one of several major construction projects recently completed at Appalachian State University to enhance the App State Experience.

The project supports App State’s strategic priorities, as well as the university’s goals and metrics associated with the University of North Carolina System’s strategic plan. It benefits students, faculty, staff and academics.

About

App State completed the renovation of Edwin Duncan Hall in late summer 2026, in time for the facility to reopen to students, faculty and staff for the first day of fall semester classes on Aug. 17. Constructed in 1965, the 98,000-square-foot facility was completely gutted as part of the renovation, with the goal of improving and adapting the space to current and future programming needs.

The project included adding and refurbishing elevators, making repairs to the building’s exterior, installing a new sprinkler system and completely revamping the facility’s HVAC system. Additionally, more technologically advanced classrooms and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) laboratories were created through the renovation.

App State students are pictured during the first week of fall 2026 classes in a newly renovated space in Edwin Duncan Hall

App State students are pictured during the first week of fall 2026 classes at App State, in a newly renovated space in Edwin Duncan Hall. They are participating in a class taught by Alan T. Arnholt, professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Mathematical Sciences. The department is housed in the renovated facility. Photo by Chase Reynolds

App State students are pictured entering the newly renovated Edwin Duncan Hall

App State students are pictured entering the newly renovated Edwin Duncan Hall on App State’s Boone campus during the first week of fall 2026 semester classes at the university. Photo by Chase Reynolds

A second-floor lounge/study space in the newly renovated Edwin Duncan Hall on App State's Boone campus
A second-floor lounge/study space in the newly renovated Edwin Duncan Hall on App State's Boone campus. This image was taken Aug. 25, 2026. Photo by Troy Tuttle
A newly renovated classroom in App State's Edwin Duncan Hall on the Boone campus.
Shown Aug. 25, 2026, is a newly renovated classroom in App State's Edwin Duncan Hall on the Boone campus. The facility's renovation was completed in summer 2026, in time for fall semester classes. Photo by Troy Tuttle
Aerial view of Edwin Duncan Hall on App State’s Boone campus during summer renovation work.
App State’s Edwin Duncan Hall, located on the Boone campus, is shown in this aerial image, taken June 3, 2026. The facility’s renovation is scheduled for completion this summer. Photo by Wes Craig
Lab space under renovation inside Edwin Duncan Hall with updated STEM classroom construction underway.
A lab space under renovation inside App State’s Edwin Duncan Hall on the Boone campus. The fully renovated Edwin Duncan facility will offer more technologically advanced classrooms and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) laboratories. This photo was taken in early June, and the project is scheduled for completion this summer. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Interior renovation in progress inside Edwin Duncan Hall with unfinished academic space and equipment.
An interior space under renovation inside App State’s Edwin Duncan Hall on the Boone campus. The Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project is scheduled for completion in summer 2026. This photo was taken in early June. Photo by Chase Reynolds
The Edwin Duncan Hall renovation is nearing completion, as seen in this May 12, 2026 photo.
The Edwin Duncan Hall renovation on App State’s Boone campus is nearing completion, as seen in this May 12, 2026, photo. The project is slated to be finished this summer. Photo by Wes Craig
Construction work is wrapping up for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State's Boone campus.
Construction work is wrapping up for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State's Boone campus. The project is nearly 95% finished, as shown in this image taken on April 14, 2026. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle
Construction work continues for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State's Boone campus.
Construction work continues for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State's Boone campus, as shown in this image, taken March 3, 2026. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle
Office spaces under construction during the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation at App State, Feb. 10, 2026.
Office spaces under construction as part of the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State’s Boone campus. This image was taken Feb. 10, 2026. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Meeting space under construction during the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation at App State, Feb. 10, 2026.
This image, taken Feb. 10, 2026, shows a meeting space that is under construction as part of the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State’s Boone campus. Photo by Chase Reynolds
An aerial view of construction progress for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State’s Boone campus.
New lab spaces, such as the one pictured, are taking shape as part of the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State’s Boone campus. This image was taken Feb. 10, 2026. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Large classroom space under construction in Edwin Duncan Hall during renovation at App State, Feb. 10, 2026.
A large classroom space being developed in Edwin Duncan Hall, as part of the facility’s renovation. This image was taken Feb. 10, 2026. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Exterior view of the newly installed elevator system for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation, Feb. 10, 2026.
This image, taken Feb. 10, 2026, provides an exterior view of the elevator system that has been installed as part of the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project. Photo by Chase Reynolds
An aerial view of construction progress for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State’s Boone campus.
An aerial view of construction progress for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State’s Boone campus. This image was taken Jan. 21, 2026. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle
Various sidewalks and curbing have been poured for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation projects.
Various sidewalks and curbing have been poured for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State’s Boone campus, as shown in this Jan. 21, 2026, photo. Construction work for the project is ongoing. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle
Construction work for the renovation of App State's Edwin Duncan Hall continues on schedule
Construction work for the renovation of App State's Edwin Duncan Hall continues on schedule, as shown in this Nov. 24, 2025, aerial image. Workers are laying gravel in preparation of pouring the walkway to the building's main entrance, as shown at bottom right of the image. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle
Construction continues for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State's Boone campus, as shown in this aerial image, taken Nov. 5, 2025.
Construction continues for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State's Boone campus, as shown in this aerial image, taken Nov. 5, 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle
An aerial view of roofing work taking place for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation taken Oct. 21, 2025.
An aerial view of roofing work taking place for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State's Boone campus. Workers have nearly finished renovations to the facility's roof, as shown in this image, which was taken Oct. 21, 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle
This aerial image, taken Sept. 2, 2025, shows the renovation work underway Edwin Duncan Hall.
This aerial image, taken Sept. 2, 2025, shows the construction work underway for the renovation of App State’s Edwin Duncan Hall, located on the Boone campus. The project is more than 75% complete as of September 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle
Roofing work continues for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State’s Boone campus, Sept. 2, 2025.
Roofing work continues for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State’s Boone campus, as shown in this aerial image, taken Sept. 2, 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle
Aerial view of Edwin Duncan Hall renovation at App State, with scaffolding and roof work visible
Construction work continues for the renovation of App State’s Edwin Duncan Hall, as shown in this photo, taken Aug. 8, 2025. Workers are hauling off old roofing materials, and interior work — such as hanging ducts and drywall — is ongoing. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle
Aerial view of Edwin Duncan Hall construction on App State’s Boone campus, taken August 8, 2025.
An aerial view of construction work taking place for the renovation of App State’s Edwin Duncan Hall, located on the Boone campus. This image was taken Aug. 8, 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle
Aerial view of Edwin Duncan Hall renovation at App State, about 65% complete as of July 2025.
Construction work for the renovation of Edwin Duncan Hall on App State's Boone campus is approximately 65% complete as of July 2025, as shown in this aerial photo, taken July 9, 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle
Rear view of Edwin Duncan Hall with window wall install, June 11, 2025.
A rear view of Edwin Duncan Hall on App State's Boone campus, taken June 11, 2025. The Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project is 60% complete as of June. Visible at far left is a curtain wall system of windows that is being installed in the building. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
Aerial view of Edwin Duncan Hall renovation and new entrance work, May 7, 2025.
Construction progress for the renovation of App State's Edwin Duncan Hall, as of May 7, 2025, is shown in this aerial photo. Workers are preparing the building's new entrance, which will be located at the northwest end of the building, near the adjacent Peacock Parking Lot. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds
Construction for the progress for the renovation of App State's Edwin Duncan Hall.
This aerial photo, taken April 9, 2025, shows construction progress for the renovation of App State's Edwin Duncan Hall. The renovation project is nearly 50% finished. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds
Construction for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project.
Construction for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project continues, as shown in this image, which was taken March 11, 2025. The project is 45% complete as of March. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds
a view of interior construction work taking place for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation.
This image, taken March 11, 2025, offers a view of interior construction work taking place for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State's Boone campus. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds
aerial photo provides a view of construction progress for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project.
This aerial photo, taken Feb. 6, 2025, provides a view of construction progress for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State’s Boone campus. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds
Construction work continues for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project.
Construction work continues for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State's Boone campus, as shown in this Jan. 17, 2025, photo. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds
An aerial view of App State's Boone campus with Edwin Duncan Hall at center.
An aerial view of App State's Boone campus taken Jan. 17, 2025, with Edwin Duncan Hall visible at center in the foreground. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds
construction work for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State continues.
Construction work for the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project at App State continues, as shown in this photo taken Nov. 19, 2024. Photo by Chase Reynolds
workers install new windows as part of App State's Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project.
Pictured Nov. 19, 2024, workers install new windows as part of App State's Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project. Photo by Chase Reynolds
aerial photo of the construction progress on App State's Edwin Duncan Hall.
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. Photo by Wes Craig
Construction progress for the renovation of App State's Edwin Duncan Hall, as of Aug. 16, 2024.
Construction progress for the renovation of App State's Edwin Duncan Hall, as of Aug. 16, 2024. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Workers beneath second-story Octagon area of Edwin Duncan Hall at App State.
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
Workers install utilities under Octagon section of Edwin Duncan Hall at App State.
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
Exterior demolition for Edwin Duncan Hall is underway.
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
removal of parts of the concrete slab below the second-story Octagon portion of Edwin Duncan Hall.
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.
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
a front view of App State's Edwin Duncan Hall, which is under renovation.
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.
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
Edwin Duncan Hall exterior from right
This artist’s rendering depicts what App State’s Edwin Duncan Hall might look like once renovations to the building are completed. This image does not reflect the finalized renovation design. Graphic courtesy of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture
Edwin Duncan Hall exterior from left
This artist’s rendering shows what Edwin Duncan Hall might look like once the building’s renovations are completed. Graphic courtesy of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture
This artist’s rendering depicts what App State’s Edwin Duncan Hall might look like.
This artist’s rendering depicts what App State’s Edwin Duncan Hall might look like once renovations to the building are completed. This image does not reflect the finalized renovation design. Graphic courtesy of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture
aerial of Edwin Duncan Hall exterior.
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

Status

The Edwin Duncan Hall renovation was completed in late summer 2026, in time for the building to reopen to Mountaineer students, faculty and staff for the first day of fall semester classes on Aug. 17.

Edwin Duncan’s main entrance has been shifted to the northwest end of the building, near the adjacent Peacock Parking Lot. Parking in the Octagon space under the building is currently closed due to the construction taking place for the nearby Peacock Hall addition. View a map of the parking area near Edwin Duncan Hall.

How is it funded?

App State received $31 million in state-allocated funding support for the renovation of Edwin Duncan Hall, which included $20 million as part of the 2021–22 biennial budget bill; $6 million — an inflationary adjustment — as part of the 2023–24 biennial budget bill; and $5 million as part of North Carolina House Bill 74 (House Budget Technical Corrections), which North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed into law on May 15, 2025.

At its January 2025 meeting, the UNC System Board of Governors approved an additional $700,000 in funding for the project — supported through the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund and App State carry forward funds. This additional funding supported a change in scope for the project that included converting three large general education classrooms into six STEM labs.

Who will benefit?

App State students, faculty and 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.

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