Ohio University selects PerkinsEastman to lead master planning project to renovate Alden Library

Ohio University has selected PerkinsEastman to lead the architectural and master planning project to renovate the iconic Alden Library. The master planning project will take place from August 2025 to June 2026 and culminate in a comprehensive set of renderings and cost estimates for a full renovation phased over time.

The Master Plan, which was included in the FY26 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) approved by the Board of Trustees in June 2025, is strategically designed to minimize disruption to student access and academic life.

With a focus on broad input and collaboration, the planning process will engage students, faculty, staff and other key stakeholders to ensure the future design reflects the evolving needs of its users.

The project is a direct response to the rapid transformation in both academic resources and student learning styles. As print collections shift largely online and learning becomes increasingly collaborative and technology-driven, libraries must adapt to remain relevant and impactful.

“Alden is an iconic space on campus, but built for another era,” said Rob Ross, dean of University Libraries.  “In the 1960s, academic libraries were cathedrals for books and learning was generally a solitary activity.  In the 2020s, libraries have become collaboration hubs where knowledge is made using creative technologies, hands-on exhibits, curated collections, and experiential workshops.  A modernized Alden Library will help actualize Ohio University’s Dynamic Strategy to improve student outcomes by offering collaborative, networked spaces equipped with educational technologies that support innovative teaching.”

Originally built in 1968 in the Brutalist architectural style, Alden Library emphasizes solid massing and minimal transparency—a design that now poses challenges as modern libraries prioritize comfort, natural light, and flexibility.

“This can pose a challenge for renovation, as human comfort and access to natural light are now paramount to library patrons, in contrast to an earlier era when these buildings were seen as containers for books,” said PerkinsEastman Principal Jean Gath. “It’s a challenge we relish, having spent more than two decades transforming buildings by renowned brutalist architects such as Edward Durrel Stone and Walter Neff.”

Serving as the academic heart of the Athens campus, Alden Library is Ohio University’s second-most trafficked building, after Baker University Center. Its popularity stems from its inclusive atmosphere and vital role as a collaborative and academic gathering place.

“The Library is a vital part of our campus community and contributes to the success of every student at Ohio University,” Provost Don Leo said.  “It is a unique part of our campus—at once academic and social—where students, faculty, and staff from all colleges can exchange ideas and collaborate on interdisciplinary projects.  An investment in the library is an investment in our whole campus community.”