HOLT Architects Transforms Lavery Library into a Modern Student Success Center

When HOLT Architects began rethinking the Lavery Library in St. John Fisher University, the assignment was not to renovate the old academic structure. It was redefining what that building meant to campus life.

Built in 1975, the Lavery Library represents the elements of that era. Since most of it is made of concrete and designed to store books (not for the students’ experience) there was an inside look at how the building was built which led to it being nicknamed inside as “the castle of books.” Students would enter the building to pick up their books and leave; The services were during their stay and spread over the building and the days. Very little natural light was allowed inside. There is no improved distribution between major campus areas.

The next 50 years of leadership from the university asked an entirely different question: What kind of project will allow students to be supported to perform at their highest level? From this question we were able to transform the concept of working in the library into the creation of a Student Success Center and demonstrate access to resources; visibility of all incoming students; inclusion of all students.

Repositioning the Campus Landmark

The renovation of the Lavery changes the role of the building in relation to the fabric of the campus as it now connects important areas of the campus rather than acting as a barrier. HOLT Architects combined two main entrances: one facing LeChase Commons and an elevated entrance facing the South Quad to serve as passageways instead of dead ends.

A new universally accessible outdoor walkway replaces the previously dangerous 20-metre staircase with a direct connection between the Upper Quad and the Commons, creating a fully accessible connection for the first construction of dignified, equal access throughout.

Inside, the renovation promotes direct circulation with a solid public staircase that resonates throughout the building, creating continuous movement throughout the various levels. Rather than appearing as a series of disconnected spaces, the layout creates an open, clear connection to what the reader will see on the way to what they are looking for.

Adaptive Reuse as a Strategy, Not a Compromise

Rather than demolishing the 1975 building, HOLT embraced a flexible use. The strong concrete frame of the building was preserved, saving valuable carbon and reducing construction waste. The decision reflects a growing recognition within the higher education establishment: sustainability often works best when it starts with what already exists.

Maintaining the structure required strategic intervention. The mechanized chases that once occupied the perimeter walls were moved inside, freeing the edges of the building to shine and daylight. High-performance envelope improvements and new glazing systems improve energy efficiency while transforming the interior experience.

This approach allowed the design team to respect the building’s permanence while redefining its purpose. The heavy concrete frame remains, but its character has changed. Transparency replaces non-transparency. Light takes over the enclosure. Architecture acknowledges the past without being oppressed by it.

This project serves as an example of how to combine modern solutions and designs with existing historical features through dynamic reuse. This project shows that conservation and innovation can coexist, and that adaptive reuse can now be seen as an innovation instead of a throwback to the past.

From Archive to Academic Hub

The most visible change is programmatic. The Lavery no longer functions as a book depository. By combining and right-sizing the clusters, border areas were freed up for student use. The seats have increased by about 20 percent without increasing the area of ​​the building.

That increase is not just an estimate. The renovations vary the way students can live in the building. Open collaboration spaces coexist with enclosed team rooms. Technology-rich classrooms sit next to a dedicated quiet study room. Lounge chairs, carrels, group tables, and community stair chairs support different learning styles, durations, and comfort levels.

The design includes both “we” spaces for interaction and “me” study spaces – providing places to engage in group discussion or spaces that allow for quiet concentration. Individual students can choose areas that match their energy levels and work styles throughout the day. Spaces are designed to accommodate different learning styles, so there is no single path to academic success in this building.

Daylight is at the center of this change. Once rare, it now describes the inner character. New doors and extended glazing draw light deeper into the floor plates. Open classrooms and visible circulation paths allow students to see ongoing work and support. The structure speaks freely before the word is spoken.

The Concierge Model of Student Success

At the heart of the renovation is a concierge-style Student Success Desk. Advising, tutoring, accessibility resources, career planning, and research support are integrated into one, highly visible area. Services that were once classified or hidden are now out in the open and in broad daylight.

Moving an organization to a new location has both operational and psychological implications. When academic support is provided remotely (eg, in off-site offices), there may be a perception of stigma associated with accessing that support. When academic support is provided centrally on campus in well-lit areas and close to the day-to-day work of the entire campus, academic support is more easily accepted as the norm.

Librarians are repositioned as teaching partners, with offices spread throughout the building rather than isolated behind closed doors. Their presence reinforces the idea that research, advising, and mentoring are integrated aspects of student life, not complementary services.

University leadership described the project as a reflection of Fisher’s culture of support. Architecture expresses that culture in a tangible way. Students find support not as a place to seek, but as an ever-present resource woven into their path.

Removing Physical and Mental Barriers

Corrections deal with inclusion at multiple scales. A new accessible campus connection eliminates a long-standing barrier. The internal circuit is understandable, with clear lines and direct connections that reduce confusion.

Transparency does more work. Glass-walled classrooms and virtual service areas remove the ambiguity that often discourages students from asking for help. If support is visible, it indicates availability. When students see peers participating in services, seeking help becomes normal.

Even the redistribution of land reflects this philosophy. The surrounding daylight areas are placed in the foreground to accommodate the students, while the deep interior areas serve the functions of supporting the houses. The message is subtle but clear: students come first.

Landscaping and stormwater management strategies extend maintenance principles beyond the building envelope. Sustainability and equity work as complementary obligations rather than competing priorities.

Thought Leadership for Functional Architecture

HOLT Architects has built a reputation throughout New York State for combining high design excellence with practical and sustainable solutions. At Lavery, that word translates into a project as strategic as it is a place.

The company resisted the temptation to treat the building as old. Instead, it saw the hidden value in the existing structure and expanded it. Adaptive reuse saved embodied carbon. Envelope improvements have improved performance. The reorganization made room for students. The design shows that thoughtful interventions can extend a building’s relevance for decades.

The project’s impact was recognized with the Jeffrey J. Zogg Build New York Award from the Associated General Contractors of New York State. This award emphasizes not only architectural excellence but also the wider social value of the revolution.

Of course, there is also a growing recognition of the nature of the everyday environment. Lavery now functions as a community center, or educational platform, where community, communication, and learning all come together. Students pass through Lavery on their way to their quads. Students also sit on social stairs and meet with counselors in glass-fronted offices; they also learn during the day which was not available before.

A Next Generation Model for Campus Libraries

Institutions of higher education across the country are facing similar questions. What is the role of the library in the age of digital resources? How can campus buildings incorporate a commitment to access and inclusion? How can sustainability goals be aligned with budget realities?

Lavery’s amendment provides one answer. Rather than abandoning the library genre, it expands it. The building retains its intellectual core while integrating academic and career support into a unified framework. It changes from storage to service, from fragmentation to aggregation.

By retaining the concrete frame, HOLT Architects demonstrated that sustainability begins with stewardship. By opening the facade and recirculating, the company has confirmed that architecture shapes behavior. By incorporating student resources, the design team ensured that the physical environment influenced the culture of the institution.

What was once described as a “fortress of books” is now a forum for learning and communication. The transformation is creative, practical and symbolic.

In St. John Fisher University, Lavery stands as a commitment made visible. For HOLT architects, it represents a model of adaptive reuse that balances preservation, sustainability, and forward-thinking design. And for students who walk through light-filled spaces every day, it serves a simple purpose: a place where success is supported, attainable, and expected.