Appalachian State University Campus Post Office Renovation
Boone, NC
Client
Size
Completion Date
Architect
Appalachian State University
7,800 square feet
August 2024
Studio Archibene
All photographs © Arsalan Abbasi Photography unless otherwise indicated.
Driving the design for this project was a need for the App State Campus Post Office to become a more relevant and useful campus destination for the App State community of students, faculty, and staff. The existing Post Office had become dated in appearance, no longer functioned well, and lacked a welcoming experience.
The design team focused on creating a welcoming experience uniquely branded to the App State Mountaineer spirit and embracing the latest technology in postal service. The poorly lit, dead-end post box lobby environment from the 1970's was replaced with a single, large, well lit, 'postal lounge' where students can get their mail, meet up, and hang out. Its bland material palette of beige paint was replaced with a warm, inviting palette of wood and fresh App State branding, including a custom 'Block A' art installation. The updated Post Office has become a student favorite and campus destination.
A Unique App State Experience:
The new Postal Lobby and Student Mail Room is a destination experience more akin to a student lounge than a traditional Post Office. Comfortable seating, upgraded finishes, high quality lighting, and new technology contribute to this experience. The overall interior design was driven by the App State brand and includes campus colors, brand logos, natural materials, and a warm color palette. The relaxed atmosphere welcomes students and encourages them to linger, engage, and enjoy campus life.
Postal Technology:
The rapid increase in parcels over traditional letters requires an updated approach to postal delivery. The traditional one-to-one relationship between a postal customer and a dedicated mailbox assignment is being replaced by a system of postal ‘lockers’ and mailboxes that vary in size and are assigned to a parcel instead of an individual. This evolution in postal technology will support the Post Office in delivering more parcels with fewer assigned mailboxes.
The Post Office before renovation
