OVERVIEW
Falvey Library at Vic Maggitti Hall is a new 150,000 SF, five-story academic library designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, developed through a collaborative process with input from more than 400 students, faculty and staff, and located at the heart of Villanova University's campus. The $150 million building is named in recognition of a $20 million gift from alumnus Victor J. Maggitti. Opening Fall 2026, the building will serve as the new front door to Villanova's academic community — housing the Learning Commons, Writing Center, graduate student spaces, rare collections, digital scholarship suite, and event programming spaces.
PRECAST SOLUTION
Universal Concrete Products manufactured the architectural precast concrete cladding system for Vic Maggitti Hall — 524 panels clad in Raven Hill/Old Chester Ashlar Blend stone supplied by Church Brick, replicating the collegiate Gothic character of Villanova's historic campus. The panel system carries a rich complement of architectural detailing: stepped archways, transitional elements at stone facing steps, arched window surrounds, and the building's signature corner towers.
The most technically demanding elements were the spires at the tops of the two corner towers. Visible from all sides and required to incorporate internal pathways for lightning protection, the spires were formed so that all details wrap 360 degrees around the element with no visible form lines — a fabrication challenge requiring specialized forming and finishing. Specialized lifting provisions were also developed for these elements, which taper almost to a point at the crown. |