APSU O’Malley Family Welcome Center

Small Project (25,000 sf or less)

A creative reuse project transforming a former car dealership into a bold Welcome Center that connects APSU’s campus with downtown Clarksville, greeting visitors with pride.

Awards Year | 2025

Project Statement

Our company was selected to design the new Austin Peay State University Welcome Center on College Ave in Clarksville, TN. The new Welcome Center is housed in what used to be a car dealership and now creates an impactful first impression along College Ave. The project was approached as an opportunity for creative adaptive reuse and connection between the APSU campus and the town of Clarksville. The front plaza of the building extends to the street, providing a gathering place and serving as a bridge between campus and downtown. The site is designed to be a welcoming landing spot for visitors to campus, including student groups, families, and individuals. A large-scale “AP” greets visitors with a picture-perfect moment and orients them towards the new red front doors. A new dynamic metal panel facade works with a new stair and platform to provide a landing spot as visitors enter the building. The interior spaces are designed to gather groups and provide information to visitors, as well as promote the University brand and identity, and house office spaces for admissions counselors and their teams. The project includes collaboration with multiple campus stakeholder groups, highly visible campus identity and graphics, as well as high-end visualization to support the University’s development goals for the project.

Framework for Design Excellence Narrative

Integration- The APSU Welcome Center serves as the front door to campus and a beacon for both the University and the City of Clarksville. Located at the edge of campus, it ties together key pedestrian corridors while welcoming prospective students, alumni, and community members. A clear entry space, angled pathways, and an open plaza establishes strong connections back into the heart of campus.

Economy- At $463/sf WBA was able to deliver a new Welcome Center on a modest budget by maximizing efficiency in planning, material selection, and construction methods. Flexible interior spaces support multiple functions, ensuring long-term value for both campus and community use.

Change- The Welcome Center exemplifies adaptive reuse by transforming a former used car dealership into a vibrant campus hub. Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, WBA reimagined an underutilized site into a welcoming threshold that serves both the University and the City of Clarksville. This conversion not only conserved resources and reduced waste but also reactivated a highly visible campus edge, turning a site of little architectural or cultural value into a lasting symbol of APSU’s identity.

LEED/Green Certifications

N/A

Price/sq. ft. if provided

$463/sf

Photo Captions

1- It was vital that the Welcome Center set the tone for the rest of the visit to campus, beginning with open, inviting spaces, flexible seating and space for groups of different sizes, ease of navigation, and clear signage and branding. Being able to see other activity happening in the building, before even entering the building, was a key consideration in design to help ease any nerves or intimidation with prospective students.

2- Market demand and internal feedback have made it evident that a flexible space capable of accommodating both small and large groups is essential. To address this need, the design includes tiered bleacher seating, which maximizes capacity and creates a welcoming environment for prospective students and visitors. This solution not only optimizes space utilization but also enhances the overall experience for group events, presentations, and campus tours.

3- As part of the University's strategic initiative to create a cohesive and immersive visitor experience, we incorporated APSU branding throughout the Welcome Center. This initiative includes custom-designed signage, flooring treatments, and accent features that consistently reflect APSU’s identity.

4- The welcome desk intentionally sits out in the open surrounded by APSU imagery to create an impactful first impression. The angle gives visitors a small glimpse into three different spaces the Welcome Center offers.

5- The large-scale “AP” greets visitors with a picture-perfect moment and orients them towards the new red front doors.

6- The design intent was for the building to serve as an unmissable beacon for students, visitors, and the community.