Paul Sherar - Chief Photographer

The Appalachian seal is just one of many small touches that add elegance and school spirit to The Appalachian House.

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Paul Sherar - Chief Photographer

One of two kitchens in the house features a woodgrain finish.

The best living arrangement on campus

Carrie Baker - Business Affairs Beat

Walking through two rock columns, around a driveway surrounded by lampposts identical to those across campus, over a walkway made of Virginia fieldstone, and across gray mats similar to ones found in the residence halls on campus brings you to a large oak door flanked by tall windows, unlike anything on campus.

Welcome to the home of Chancellor Dr. Francis T. and Kay Borkowski.

The chancellor’s home, otherwise known as The Appalachian House, may almost blend into its surroundings of rhododendron just off Bodenheimer Drive across from the Appalachian Heights student apartments, but the interior is certainly distinct.

Once inside the 9,000-square-foot home, you will find features such as the Appalachian seal inlaid into the flooring as you enter the great room, a dining room that will seat 66, the chancellor’s study with school mascot Yosef’s profile inlaid into the flooring, multiple guest rooms, a breakfast room, staff lounge, elevator and two kitchens.

Kay Borkowski explained the design of the house was made to “consider every eventuality.”

“We considered the idea of a young chancellor with small children, aged parents, chancellors with physical incapacities. We really looked toward the future,” said Borkowski.

Entering through the oak door, the home’s distinctive natural feeling becomes apparent.

Kay Borkowski explained that Julie Brittain, Appalachian State’s own interior designer and graduate of Appalachian’s interior design program, wanted to keep the “natural feel” of Appalachian and carry it through the home.

“I starting working where the architect left off,” said Brittain.

While Kay said she did not personally choose the decorations in the home, she did make decisions for the home as part of a committee she created. The committee of five others, Rosanne Peacock, Lillian Turchin, Faye Cooper, Andrew Bland and Gail Hern, brought in its own opinions and ideas concerning the future home and created a program specifically for the house.

“We worked with [the program] defining spaces, the function of those spaces and equipment necessary for spaces,” said Borkowski.

The program was then passed along to David Patrick Moses Jr., the university-selected architect for The Appalachian House, who drew his plans from the program. Moses’ design with a taupe outdoor theme was created to blend in with the surrounding campus and mountains of the area.

“The combination of stone used on the interior and exterior is really in the keeping of this area,” said Borkowski.

The final product came after much planning and creative designing that began in 1999. Brittain, who began her work as a designer at Appalachian State in November 1999, was immediately approached with the project.

“It was a little intimidating at first,” said Brittain. In the end, working with the committee was “a wonderful opportunity,” said Brittain. She also worked closely with Beth Alexander in University Advancement.

“Beth and I did a lot of the leg work for the committee,” said Brittain.
Alexander called alumni, parents of students and others looking for opportunities with companies and individuals to gain furnishings and accessories and trying to keep the budget for the house low.

“The state gave planning money for the project; everything else came as of donations and huge monetary gifts,” said Borkowski.

These donors are carefully noted on a piece of art adorning a hallway on the first floor of the home. The art is a tree composed of four different metals. These metals make up a tree trunk and branches with over 48 different leaves. Each leaf bears the name of someone who donated toward the final product of The Appalachian House.

“We decided the tree would be much nicer than plaques all over the house and much more recognizable,” said Borkowski.

The chancellor’s old residence, built in the 1950s, was demolished in early 2000 after it was decided repairs to the home would cost $300,000. The previous house was located where the new Living Learning Center is currently being constructed.

“The rest of the campus was eyeing that piece of property for other projects,” said Borkowski. So the site for the new house was moved up the street a bit. Borkowski said she loves the new site. She named living on campus and being near students as positives for the location.

“It’s not uncommon for a chancellor’s residence to be on campus.
There is a much greater convenience living on campus,” said Borkowski.

Even though the Borkowskis have only been in residence in The Appalachian House for three months, they have already opened their home for five student events.

“That’s what the house is for,” said Borkowski as she looked around the great room and smiled. “It’s a beautiful home, and we want people to feel welcome.”