Welcome to the Archives of The Paul Rudolph Institute for Modern Architecture. The purpose of this online collection is to function as a tool for scholars, students, architects, preservationists, journalists and other interested parties. The archive consists of photographs, slides, articles and publications from Rudolph’s lifetime; physical drawings and models; personal photos and memorabilia; and contemporary photographs and articles.

Some of the materials are in the public domain, some are offered under Creative Commons, and some are owned by others, including the Paul Rudolph Estate. Please speak with a representative of The Paul Rudolph Institute for Modern Architecture before using any drawings or photos in the Archives. In all cases, the researcher shall determine how to appropriately publish or otherwise distribute the materials found in this collection, while maintaining appropriate protection of the applicable intellectual property rights.

In his will, Paul Rudolph gave his Architectural Archives (including drawings, plans, renderings, blueprints, models and other materials prepared in connection with his professional practice of architecture) to the Library of Congress Trust Fund following his death in 1997. A Stipulation of Settlement, signed on June 6, 2001 between the Paul Rudolph Estate and the Library of Congress Trust Fund, resulted in the transfer of those items to the Library of Congress among the Architectural Archives, that the Library of Congress determined suitable for its collections. The intellectual property rights of items transferred to the Library of Congress are in the public domain. The usage of the Paul M. Rudolph Archive at the Library of Congress and any intellectual property rights are governed by the Library of Congress Rights and Permissions.

However, the Library of Congress has not received the entirety of the Paul Rudolph architectural works, and therefore ownership and intellectual property rights of any materials that were not selected by the Library of Congress may not be in the public domain and may belong to the Paul Rudolph Estate.

LOCATION
Address: 818 Home Street
City: Bronx
State: New York
Zip Code: 10459
Nation: United States

STATUS
Type: Housing
Status: Built

TECHNICAL DATA
Date(s): 1967-1973
Site Area:
Floor Area:
Height: 66’-5”
Floors (Above Ground): 8
Building Cost:

PROFESSIONAL TEAM
Client: New York City Housing Authority
Architect: Paul Rudolph
Associate Architect:
Landscape:
Structural:
MEP:
QS/PM:

SUPPLIERS
Contractor:
Subcontractor(s):

Apartment Building for the New York City Housing Authority (Lewis S. Davidson Sr. Houses)

On April 29, 1968 the New York City Mayor approves the city’s plan to condemn 14 existing lots in the Bronx.
On May 31, 1968 the Supreme Court of the State of New York grants a petition by the City of New York to condemn the existing lots. The city combines the properties into a single development lot.
On June 19, 1968 the City of New York deeds the property to the New York City Housing Authority. An owner of two of the lots sues the City of New York over the condemnation.
On May 5, 1972 the New York Supreme Court of Bronx County issues an order awarding monetary damages to the property owner and declares the combined site to be a federally-aided public housing project to be known as ‘Home Street-Prospect Avenue Area Project No. NY 5-96A.’
The building program includes 2 apartments with tenant storage, building offices, public lobby, mail room, laundry room and utility rooms on the 1st floor, 23 apartments with tenant storage and lobby on the 2nd floor, and 25 apartments on each of the the 3rd thru 8th floors. There are a total of 175 apartment units in the building.
An accessory parking lot for 63 vehicles is located on the site.
The project construction consists of cast-in-place concrete frames with splitface ribbed concrete block, which Rudolph invented and used in several projects during the 1960’s and 1970’s such as the Dana Creative Arts Center, Orange County Government Center, Middletown Plaza, Shoreline Apartments, First Church of Boston and Tracey Towers.
Construction is complete in 1973
The project is named after Lewis S. Davidson (1883-1964) who was a minister, teacher, community leader and activist. He published a local newspaper, developed a food cooperative and was the first president of the Bronx branch of the NAACP, which he founded. A part of the Lewis Davidson Houses is situated on property once owned by Mr. Davidson.
Union Avenue Consolidated manages the Davidson properties for the New York City Housing Authority.
In 2005 the New York City Housing Authority entrusts the property to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development