In Partnership with Skanska USA
University of Virginia

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The University of Virginia’s Shannon Library (formerly Alderman Library) stands as a cornerstone of academic life on UVA’s historic campus. Originally constructed in the early 20th century, the building’s classical design aligned beautifully with the university’s Jeffersonian architecture. However, a 1950s expansion introduced a modernist wing that lacked harmony with the surrounding campus aesthetic—and over time, became a source of functional and environmental challenges.

Persistent mold issues and aging infrastructure prompted a major rehabilitation effort. The university, working with Skanska USA and Lucas Concrete, undertook a transformative renovation to reimagine the compromised portion of the building. The goal: restore architectural cohesion, improve environmental health, and align the library with modern academic needs—while respecting the historic character of the original structure.

Today, the renewed Shannon Library blends seamlessly into the campus, combining timeless design with 21st-century performance standards. It now offers an inspiring space for scholarship, study, and community gathering—an embodiment of UVA’s commitment to preservation and progress.

Lucas Concrete was brought in to support the architectural restoration of the UVA Shannon Library, specifically addressing the mid-century addition that no longer fit the visual or structural integrity of the campus. The 1950s-era expansion had deviated from the university’s classical design language and, over the decades, developed persistent mold and moisture problems—rendering much of the space unhealthy and inefficient.

The renovation scope focused on replacing this compromised wing with a structure that respected the building’s original architecture while incorporating modern materials and improved environmental performance. Lucas Concrete’s contribution included fabricating custom precast components to match the look and scale of the original early-20th-century masonry.

Achieving this required careful attention to historical detailing—matching color, texture, joint lines, and profiles of the original stonework—while ensuring each piece met modern structural and durability standards. Collaboration between the design team, general contractor, and Lucas Concrete was essential to ensure historical authenticity and construction efficiency.

The result was a seamless architectural integration: a new structure that honors the university’s architectural heritage and corrects decades of environmental degradation, offering a healthier and more functional space for generations of students to come.