Preus Learning Commons

Born out of the Campus Master Plan, a new vision for Preus Library emerged as a top institutional priority—one that would advance several of Luther College’s strategic initiatives. Through the planning process, The Collaborative and Luther’s leadership team sought to reimagine the building’s role on campus, shifting it from a facility dominated by book stacks with student success services tucked away in the basement to a vibrant Learning Commons and centralized one-stop hub for student support.

To help advance this vision, Luther College engaged the Design-Build team of The Collaborative and Turner Construction to renovate the 4-story, mid-century structure. A cornerstone of the central campus and a focal point of the College’s upcoming capital campaign, Preus Library was poised for a transformational reinvention. With the College’s goals of consolidating key student services under one roof and modernizing the facility to meet the expectations of today’s tech-savvy students, the team crafted a design focused on openness, activity, and accessibility.

The Collaborative’s solution links the building’s active floors through a dynamic, multi-story interior gathering space—the heart of the new Learning Commons. Adjacent to this central hub are a café, a flexible multi-purpose room, and numerous collaborative zones designed to support both organized and impromptu engagement. Student services are strategically organized to share resources, improve operational efficiency, and offer intuitive wayfinding, creating a seamless one-stop experience for students.

Externally, the west façade was re-envisioned to honor the building’s strong architectural character while introducing large curtainwall openings. These additions flood the interior with natural light and provide sweeping views toward the historic Farwell Clearing and the western campus, reinforcing the sense of transparency and connection that defines the reinvented Learning Commons.