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: 3033 Middletown Road
City: Bronx
State: New York
Zip Code: 10461
Nation: United States
STATUS
Type: Housing
Status: Built
TECHNICAL DATA
Date(s): 1967-1973
Site Area: 49,223 ft² (4,572.9 m²)
Floor Area: 49,309 ft² (4,580.9 m²) total, 10,076 ft² (936.1 m²) lot coverage
Height: 132’-8” (40.44 m)
Floors (Above Ground): 15
Building Cost: $6,090,291 USD (in 1973)
PROFESSIONAL TEAM
Client: New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)
Architect: Paul Rudolph
Associate Architect:
Landscape:
Structural:
MEP:
QS/PM:
SUPPLIERS
Contractor:
Subcontractor(s):
Apartment Building for the New York City Housing Authority (Middletown Plaza)
The project scope is to design an apartment building for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).
The final design has 177 apartments, 2 elevators, 2 boilers and 192 residents.
The first floor consists of lobbies, stairs, a toilet and equipment and refuse room. The second floor has 12 apartments and storage. The third floor has 11 apartments and a laundry room. The fourth through fifteenth floors have 13 apartments each.
The building has 27 studios, 140 one bedroom units, and 10 two bedroom units.
The units are exclusively used for senior housing, and a 4,490 ft² (417.1 m²) community space is used as a senior center by Regional Aid of Interim Needs, Inc.
There is parking for 36 cars in an adjacent parking lot.
Construction is complete on August 31, 1973.
In 2017 a five year physical needs assessment is issued by NYCHA showing the building in need of $21,300,000 USD worth of repairs to the units, building and grounds.
“A tall dramatic cast concrete frame, gray, ribbed block infill, and gray window sash make this housing for the elderly Rudolph’s best work in the borough and one of the Bronx’s notable architectural apartment houses”
DRAWINGS - Design Drawings / Renderings
DRAWINGS - Construction Drawings
DRAWINGS - Shop Drawings
PHOTOS - Project Model
PHOTOS - During Construction
PHOTOS - Completed Project
PHOTOS - Current Conditions
LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION
RELATED DOWNLOADS
PROJECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ben Kochman. “New Eyes on Middletown Plaza.” Bronx Times, 11 Oct. 2013.
“Chronological List of Works by Paul Rudolph, 1946-1974.” Architecture and Urbanism, no. 49, Jan. 1975.
Denis Slattery. “Middletown Plaza Tenants Demand Action on Delayed Security Measures and Other Repairs.” New York Daily News, 31 July 2013.
Norval White, et al. A.I.A. Guide to New York City. Oxford University Press, 2010.
Senior Tenants Call for Repairs at Middletown Plaza. News12 The Bronx, 28 Mar. 2016.
White, Norval. AIA Guide to New York City. Macmillan, 1978.