Lutnick Library

Haverford College

Location: Haverford, PA

Total GSF: 30,570 GSF Renovation, 32,380 GSF Addition

Completed: 2019

The overarching goal for the project was to create a 21st century teaching and research center focused on gathering community that encouraged collaboration and scholarly pursuit. Prior to this renovation/addition, the library at Haverford College was an intricately complex structure constructed over five eras (1864, 1898, 1912, 1941 & 1967) with portions of the building listed on the Haverford Township Historical Commission Preservation Survey. The ad hoc sequence of additions had created a valuable historic core and some much-loved study areas embedded in an otherwise dark and disorienting sequence of spaces. 

Demolition of the 1941 stack block and part of the 1967 addition allowed for a rational, modern-day intervention that respects the significance of the older 'heritage' spaces while creating a logical sequence of warm, contemporary, well-lit learning spaces. These include a new reading room, a Digital Scholarship Commons, a flexible event space, new instruction, seminar and group study spaces, a new art gallery, a cafe and specifically for Quaker and Special Collections a new research room, new processing spaces and dedicated, climate-controlled collections storage.

In addition, two new entrances are added to the original with the previous centralized service desk replaced by two small-footprint concierge stations. The lowest level is expanded to accommodate general collections in compact shelving. As the college campus in its entirety makes up the Haverford College Arboretum, care is taken to integrate new accessible pathways and landscape features within the surrounding campus.