Ruth Street Civic House

Developed by New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC), Ruth Street Civic House provides 44 units of much-needed affordable housing in Kensington, bolstering NKCDC’s mission to revitalize and support the community. The project sits beside the NKCDC offices and its 2017 Orinoka Civic House mixed-use affordable housing project. CBP Architects designed Ruth Street Civic House to respond architecturally to the neighborhood context while incorporating amenities that add dignity and quality. The building includes 32 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom apartments, including a total of eight hearing and vision impaired (HVI) units, six of which are also accessible units. All units meet the VisitAble classification with features to accommodate mobility aids and wheelchairs. The project earned National Green Building Standard Silver Certification and U.S. Department of Energy Efficient New Homes Certification.

A richly textured exterior combines white metal siding and deep gray panels matching those on Orinoka Civic House, brick to match neighborhood rowhouses, and fiber-cement siding arranged so that the natural joints form vertical accents. Patina-green metal complements the shades of blue used at Orinoka Civic House. Cantilevered corner elements and extensive lobby glass create a jewel-box feel. At night, the lobby’s bright lights offer a safe and welcoming entrance experience. Since the program did not include a community room, CBP Architects designed the lobby for gathering. Different seating groups, ceiling heights, and flooring changes create a living-room feel. Sight lines for clear visibility enable building managers to view the full lobby from their office space. Windows align between the kitchenette and mailroom and the front and back of the building across the elevator lobby, ensuring spaces feel safe and open. Within the apartments, big windows, large closets, stainless-steel Energy Star appliances, solid-surface counters, and all-wood cabinets offer quality and durability. Shared laundry rooms can be found on floors two through four.

“A community-driven [approach] . . . recognizes the strengths within our communities and shares power with residents in co-creating solutions. Community-led solutions are more sustainable because they are owned by those most affected by the outcome.”
– Dr. Bill McKinney, New Kensington Community Development Corporation Executive Director