St. Lawrence University, Brewer Bookstore

Canton, New York

Firm

MacLachlan, Cornelius & Filoni, Inc.

Client

St. Lawrence University

Area

18,300 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$1,800,000

Completion Date

01/1999

The St. Lawrence University bookstore was unlike any small college bookstore in the nation. In fact, it had become the “general store” for the entire region. When the university was looking for a new location for the bookstore, it chose the Brewer Field House. The building’s strong axial relationship to the center of campus helps link the campus to the community.
Conceived as a “market house,” the bookstore takes advantage of the vaulted truss space and the wood floor of the renovated gym. Through use of large open wells, a monumental stair to take people from floor to floor, large overhead skylights and lounge seating around the two new fireplaces, the bookstore becomes an active, fun, light-filled space to shop.
The plan contains spaces for a coffee bar, children’s area and gift shop, along with the traditional bookstore offerings. The fixtures and lighting are flexible to accommodate the changing needs of the store. The exterior was enlivened with the addition of the front canopy, semicircular glass entry, window display boxes and outdoor patio/sales area.

Photographer: ©Benjamin Wetmore