From Dark and Disconnected to Sunny and Welcoming: Inside the $40 Million Lavery Library Transformation

ROCHESTER, N.Y., February 2026 — For nearly half a century, Lavery Library has stood at the center of St. John Fisher University’s campus, a familiar presence for generations of students. But step inside today, months after its grand reopening, and the experience feels entirely new. Sunlight pours through expanded glazing, students gather on a broad social stair, and academic support services sit in plain view, inviting engagement rather than hiding behind closed doors.

The transformation, led by HOLT Architects, marks a turning point not only for the university but also for how campuses think about the role of libraries in student life. Completed in September 2025 following a $40 million renovation — the largest capital investment in the university’s history — the project reimagines the once inward-facing structure as a vibrant Student Success Center designed to help students connect, collaborate and thrive.

HOLT Architects, an award-winning firm known across New York State for designing innovative housing, community, healthcare and higher education facilities, approached the project with a clear goal: create an environment that reflects the university’s mission of accessibility, inclusivity, and student-centered learning. Founded in 1963 and headquartered in Ithaca, HOLT is led by principals Kelly Maher, Steve Hugo, Paul Levesque, and Quay Thompson. The firm has built a reputation for pairing high-design aesthetics with thoughtful, functional solutions across a diverse portfolio of projects.

“This historic project reimagines an iconic building at the heart of our campus and expands its purpose to provide students with coordinated services and resources,” said St. John Fisher University President Gerard Rooney. “It was amazing to follow the progress and fun to see things come together. I’m very pleased with the results.”

Originally built in 1975, Lavery had long been described as a “book fort,” a solid concrete structure that, while iconic, had become disconnected from the daily flow of campus life. Rather than demolish the building, HOLT embraced adaptive reuse, preserving the structure’s permanence while unlocking its potential for a new generation.

“The central question guiding the project was simple but powerful,” said Quay Thompson, principal at HOLT Architects. “Which solution will most help students access the support necessary to succeed? Every design decision came back to that.”

Today, Lavery is no longer just a library. It is an academic hearth and civic commons, where advising, tutoring, accessibility services, career planning and research support come together in a welcoming, highly visible hub. The shift reflects a broader understanding that student success depends not only on academics but also on access to community and resources.

HOLT Leaders: ‘The Goal Was To Make The Building Feel More Open’

One of the most significant changes with the Lavery Library involved repositioning the building within the campus fabric. Where Lavery once acted as a physical and visual barrier, the renovation turned it into a campus throughway that connects major quads and gathering spaces.

Two new primary entrances, one facing LeChase Commons and another addressing the elevated South Quad, create a welcoming flow of movement through the building. A universally accessible exterior route replaced a hazardous 20-foot stair, creating the first fully accessible connection between the Upper Quad and Commons.

Inside, a clear vertical circulation spine anchored by a broad social stair links all levels, reinforcing intuitive wayfinding and encouraging interaction. The stepped seating area has quickly become one of the most recognizable features of the building, serving as both a circulation path and an informal gathering space.

“The goal was to make the building feel open and intuitive,” Thompson said. “We wanted students to move through it naturally and feel connected to the campus around them.”

Extensive glazing and interior transparency now bring daylight deep into the floor plates, shifting the building’s character from isolating to inviting. Transparent tutoring rooms, reading areas and circulation paths allow students to see activity throughout the building, reinforcing a sense of openness and community.

Mechanical chases that once occupied the perimeter were relocated to maximize access to natural light, a move that significantly improved comfort and wellness while freeing prime perimeter zones for student use.

Architecturally, the renovation preserved the library’s original character while introducing new features that improved connectivity across campus. The work was completed in close collaboration with HOLT project partners Hamilton Stern Construction LLC, Ryan Biggs Clark Davis Engineering, Bell & Spina Architects-Planners, Convergent Technologies Group, Buro Happold, Fisher Associates, M/E Engineering and Encorus Group.

Supporting Modern Learning Through Adaptive Reuse

For HOLT Architects, the reimagining of Lavery Library was never just about updating an aging building. It was about creating an environment that reflects how students learn today while honoring the structure’s history and reducing environmental impact.

Hugo said the team approached the renovation with a clear goal: to unlock the building’s potential through thoughtful adaptive reuse.

“We saw this as an opportunity to take a building that had really strong bones and reimagine how it could serve students for the next generation,” Thomson explained. “By preserving the existing concrete frame, we were able to retain significant embodied carbon and minimize construction waste, which aligns with our commitment to sustainable design.”

Upgrades to the building envelope, including high-performance glazing, improved energy efficiency while allowing natural light to reach deep into the interior. Outside, native landscaping supports biodiversity and stormwater management, reinforcing the project’s environmental stewardship.

Inside, the transformation is immediately noticeable. Thompson said the team focused on reclaiming space for students by rethinking how the building was organized.

“The original library was very inward-facing and heavily dominated by book stacks,” he said. “By consolidating and right-sizing the collections, we were able to free up valuable floor area and increase seating by about 20 percent without expanding the footprint. That allowed us to prioritize student space along the perimeter where there’s natural light.”

The reconfigured layout reflects a broader shift in higher education toward flexibility and choice.

“We wanted to create a building that supports different ways of learning,” Thompson shared. “Students can choose a space that fits how they work best, whether that’s collaborating with peers, working in a group setting or finding a quiet place to focus.”

Throughout the building, the design balances active collaboration zones with quieter environments, offering technology-rich classrooms, group study rooms, and a dedicated silent reading room for deep concentration.

At the heart of the building, Thompson said, is one of the most important changes: the creation of a centralized Student Success hub.

“Bringing advising, tutoring, accessibility services, career planning, and research support into one visible location was a major priority,” he said. “Services that were once scattered across campus are now centralized and daylit, which reduces barriers and makes it easier for students to get the support they need.”

The shift also redefines the role of librarians within the building.

“Librarians are integrated throughout the space as teaching partners,” Thompson said. “They’re not tucked away in offices. They’re part of the daily experience, helping students connect with resources and supporting their academic journey.”

For Thompson, the renovation reflects a larger evolution in how academic buildings are designed, moving from static repositories to active learning environments.

“This project shows how adaptive reuse can support contemporary academic culture while still respecting the history of a building,” he said. “It’s about creating spaces where students feel supported, comfortable and inspired to succeed.”

An Academic Home for the Next Generation

University leadership has described the project as the physical embodiment of Fisher’s supportive culture. By integrating academic, social, and career resources into a single, welcoming environment, the renovation reinforces the idea that student success is both expected and actively supported.

Before renovation, the building was dark, inward-facing and difficult to navigate. After renovation, it is transparent, welcoming and central to campus life, celebrating student presence and reinforcing the university’s mission.

The project has already earned industry recognition, including the Jeffrey J. Zogg Build New York Award from the Associated General Contractors of New York State, validating the design’s impact and execution.

For HOLT Architects, the recognition reflects a broader commitment to designing spaces that remove barriers and support equity.

“Inclusivity was a core driver from the beginning,” Thompson said. “We looked at accessibility not just as a requirement but as an opportunity to create a more welcoming environment for everyone.”

Nearly six months after reopening, Lavery continues to demonstrate how thoughtful design can reshape the academic experience. What was once a fortress for books is now a dynamic center for learning and connection, a place where students gather, collaborate, and find the support they need to succeed.

For HOLT Architects, the project stands as a powerful example of how architecture can transform not just buildings, but the communities they serve.

As Thompson put it, “When you design with people at the center, you create spaces that truly make a difference.”