Haverford College

Constructed over five eras in the 19th and 20th centuries, Magill Library closed in late fall 2017 for an 18-month, $35.2 million renovation and addition that propelled it into a 21st century center of learning, culture, and engagement.

The entire Haverford College campus is an arboretum, with numerous mature and highly valuable trees. The design team carefully planned the landscape and utility improvements for the library renovation so they could be constructed around important root systems.

Site work included improving the entries to the building, providing ADA access, and adding new outdoor spaces with native vegetation. Stormwater management and grading were implemented to alleviate drainage and flooding issues, including two rain gardens for water quality pre-treatment and a subsurface infiltration bed. These improvements were integrated with existing site features and utilities without negatively impacting the historic library building.

Meliora’s services included civil and site engineering, ADA enhancements, green stormwater infrastructure, and handling permitting required by the local conservation district.