Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Melita Rodeck Architectural Collection
Rodeck, Melita, b.1914
Ms.1992.028
10.7 Cubic Feet
2 boxes, 30 oversize folders
1931-2003
1960-1990
The Melita Rodeck Architectural Collection consist of architectural drawings designed by her while in private practice and as an employee of the U.S. federal government.
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Melita Rodeck Architectural Collection, Ms1992-028, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The Melita Rodeck Architectural Collection was donated to Special Collections in 1992, 1993, 1997, and 2003.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Melita Rodeck Architectural Collection commenced and was completed in January 1998. The 2003 addition was processed in 2012.
Existence and Location of Copies
Some of this collection has been digitized and is available online.
Biographical Information
Melita Rodeck was born on April 12, 1914, in Milan, Italy, to Austrian parents. After the outbreak of World War I her family returned to Vienna where she was educated. She enrolled at the Vienna Polytechnic in 1932 to study architecture, and immigrated to the United States in 1939. Upon arriving in the United States she spent four years volunteering in the Harlem slums. In 1950 she moved to Washington, D.C., and worked for the General Services Administration of the U.S. federal government. She became a registered architect of the District of Columbia in 1952 and established her own office in 1958, where she designed residences in Maryland and Virginia and restored townhouses in Washington, D.C.
From 1968 to 1973 Rodeck worked as an architect for special research projects at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, then from 1973 to 1980 as a coordinator for architectural research for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She was a program manager of Radiological Emergency Preparedness Programs for the Federal Emergency Management Agency from 1980 to 1985 and designed guidelines to minimize or eliminate flood damage to buildings. She retired from federal government work in 1985.
Rodeck was a devout Catholic and in the 1960s established the Regina Institute of Sacred Art, an organization dedicated to aiding Catholic parishes in their design and decoration efforts. The institute aimed to educate parishioners about the emotional impact of and psychological need for good design.
Scope and Content
The Melita Rodeck Architectural Collection consists of architectural drawings designed by her while in private practice and as an employee of the U.S. federal government. The collection also includes various pieces of literature she wrote for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Arrangement
The collection has been divided into four series: I. Personal Papers, II. Professional Papers, III. Project Records, and IV. Artwork.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Melita Rodeck Architectural Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Architectural drawing -- 20th century
Architects
Women -- History
Women-owned architectural firms
Architectural drawings (visual works)
International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA)
Series I. Personal Papers1960-2003Clippings1960-2003Rodeck1964, 1984, 1987, 200311Rodeck's Foggy Bottom residence
1960-1961, 1981,1991-1992, n.d.12Correspondence
1992, 1997, 2001, n.d.13Linoleum/woodcut prints by Rodeck14Photographs of Rodeck15School Work1933, 1971-1972Drawing, Entwurf fur ein kinder walderholungsheim [possibly schoolwork due to the language](1 roll)Presentation drawing, classical building193319Neighborhood Commons Open Space [for Masters degree in City and Regional Planning]197116Thesis: Flood Plain Management - A Search for a Unified Policy [for Masters degree in City and Regional Planning]
December 197217Series II. Professional Papers1961-1984Clippings1961-1968American Assocation of University Women (AAUW)1967-196818Melita Rodeck and Associates Architects and Engineers1961, n.d.19Neighborhood Commons1963110Curriculum Vitae1968, 1982, n.d.111Publications1968-1984Space and Utilization Plans and Design Criteria for Army Guest House, Department of the Army, Office of the Chief of Engineers1968112Construction--Space and Planning Criteria for U.S. Army Service Schools, Technical Manual, 5-843-1, for Department of the Army1970113Interim Guidance for Two-Step Construction Contracting, Contracting Department, for the U.S. Army1971114Historic Preservation--Booklet from the Office of the Chief of Engineers1972115Elevated Residential Structures, FEMA publication
1976, 1984116Manual for the Construction of Residential Basements in Non-Coastal Flood Environs, HUD, Federal Insurance Administration publication1978117Flood Emergency and Residential Repair Handbook, FEMA1979118Flood Plan Management Tools for Alluvial Fans, Study Plan, prepared for FEMA1980119Design Guidelines for Flood Damage Reduction, FEMA publication1981120Flood Plan Management Tools for Alluvial Fans, Master Plan, prepared for FEMA1981121Regina Institute
122Writings
1963-1969Design and the Church, various articles1963-1965123People's Space, American Association of University Women
1969124Series III. Project Records1949-1975ArrangementThe following is a list of Rodeck's projects from 1949-1975. It has been divided into five subseries: Church/Community Projects; Commercial/Residential Projects; Furniture/Miscellaneous; Government; and Urban Planning.
Project/Client Name (location, date) [Format - Dr=Drawings, Ph=Photographs, Sp=Specifications, PB=Presentation Boards]
Church/Community Projects1951-1968Alter [Dr]
22Alter - walnut, [Dr]
22Archbishop's private chapel, [Dr, PB]
224Aylesford Chapel, The National Scapular Center (Downers Grove, IL, 1959) [Dr]
2Banner of Resurrection, drawing [Dr]
22Blessed Martin Hospice Settlement House, conversion, 138 12th Street N.E. (1961) [Dr]
3Campus Chapel, University of Maryland, platform and altar (College Park, MD) [Dr]
21Chapel of the White Fathers, renovation (Washington, D.C., 1967) [Dr]
3Church interior [Dr]
4Church interior - JHS [Dr ]
4Claretian Chapel, proposed modernization of chapel (1967-1968) [Dr]
1254Classroom module [Dr]
25Community Coffee House, St. Mary's Church, 730 23rd Street N.W. [Dr]
3The Consolata Fathers, Missions Seminary, (Buffalo, NY, 1958) [Dr]
3Dunbarton College of the Holy Cross, proposed dormitory building (Washington, D.C.) [Dr]
2123General Education Center [Dr ]
23Gethsemani Infirmary (1952) [Dr]
13Holy Comforter Church, proposed sanctuary remodeling (Charlottesville, VA, 1966) [Dr]
2Holy Rosary Church, alterations to meeting room, confessional (Washington, D.C., 1963) [Dr]
2Hospital chapel for 106 [Dr]
4Immaculate Conception Chapel (Washington, D.C.) [Dr]
2123Medical building, colored pencil exterior rendering [Dr]
23Neighborhood Commons (1964) [Dr, PB]
125Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, preliminary sketches for the shrine (Hamilton, MA, 1951) [Dr]
3Our Lady Star of the Sea, alterations (Indian Head, MD, 1960) [Dr]
3Parish Hall [Dr]
4SS Paul and Augustine Commons (Washington, D.C., 1964) [Dr ]
1St. Catherine's Church, landscaping (McConchie, MD, 1959) [Dr]
4St. Ignatius' Church, landscaping (Hilltop, MD, 1959) [Dr]
4St. Stephens Church/Parish Center, alterations (Washington, D.C., 1964-1966) [Dr, Sp]
127245St. Thomas Parish, listed as Regina Institute (Seattle, WA) [PB]
25 Youth Center, concept studies (1967) [Dr]
1Commercial/Residential Projects1949-1975Abbot, Bernice, writing desk [Dr]
24Adler, John J., alterations to residence (Watertown, NY, 1949) [Dr]
14Apartment house, proposed alterations, 2110-19th Street N.W. (Washington, D.C., 1960) [Dr]
6Argus Builders, 9 unit apartment building, Atlantic Street, S.E. (Washington, D.C., 1966) [Dr]
9Calcara, Frank, store and apartment building (1967) [Dr]
1217Capitol Mansions, Inc., restoration of residence (Washington, D.C., 1965) [Dr, Ph]
12615Carbone, Donald, cottage, Chesapeake Ranch Club (1965) [Dr]
12Chilton Washington Corp., restoration of residence (Washington, D.C., 1965) [Dr]
15Clements, Everett, townhouses, Hughes Mews N.W. (Washington, D.C., 1963) [Dr]
11Clements, Everett, townhouses, 2513 Eye Street N.W. (Washington, D.C., 1963) [Dr]
11Coller, Harry, proposed store remodeling (Washington, D.C., 1966) [Dr]
16Co-Op apartments, proposed alterations to lodging house (Washington, D.C., 1961) [Dr]
11Crocker, John S., alteration and addition (Washington, D.C., 1965) [Dr]
12Efficiency units, 15 units, typical floor plan [Dr]
6Engle, Morris, Harrigan's, proposed restaurant (1959) [Dr]
8Furth, Hans, alterations and additions (Washington, D.C., 1964) [Dr]
16Garner, Julian H., residence (Washington, D.C., 1959) [Dr]
14Gross, William, living room [Dr]
24Gunston Library [PB]
26Harris, Forest K., flat conversion (Washington, D.C., 1963) [Dr]
15Heyn, Paul C., woodwork for living room (Hyattsville, MD, 1969) [Dr]
17Hotel Prince Frederick, (Prince Frederick, MD) [Dr]
13Jehle, Philip F., addition to residence (Parkwood, Mont. Co., MD, 1962) [Dr]
9Jett, Page C., addition to residence (Prince Frederick, MD, 1965) [Dr]
917Kaufman, Arthur, residence remodel (Washington, D.C., 1966) [Dr]
9Kirkwood Builders, apartment renovation (1965) [Dr, Ph]
12612Kraemer, Frank W., restoration and flat conversion (Washington, D.C., 1965) [Dr]
15Lee, M.B., reinforced concrete retaining wall (Washington, D.C., 1967) [Dr]
9Macgregor, Bruce, flat conversion (Washington, D.C., 1965) [Dr]
15May residence, proposed patio (Alexandria, VA, 1962) [Dr]
11McBride, Robert J., apartment house conversion (Washington, D.C., 1960) [Dr]
1417McBride, Robert J., alterations to residence (Washington, D.C., 1960) [Dr]
14Miscellaneous interior/exterior renderings (11) [Dr]
26Miscellaneous residential renderings (2) [Dr]
6Mondlock, Marguerite, residence (Port Republic, MD, 1964) [Dr]
14Morris, Albert V., alterations to residence (1961) [Dr]
12Odarenko, T.M., alterations to residence (Washington, D.C., 1960) [Dr]
11Peon, N. Camara, residence (1960) [Dr]
10Professional Office Building, ( 1960) [Dr]
3Protos, Stephen D., reinforced concrete retaining wall (Silver Spring, MD, 1967) [Dr]
9Queen Anne's Lane Project, (Washington, D.C., 1960) [Dr]
1730Reed, Sidney, residence [PB]
18Rice, Josephine T., addition and remodeling (Washington, D.C., 1962) [Dr ]
11Rodeck, Melita, residence, 801-25th Street N.W. (Washington, D.C., 1960) [Dr]
7Rodeck, Melita, flat conversion and addition, 2512 Eye Street N.W. (Washington, D.C., 1965, 1971) [Dr]
7Rodeck, Melita, proposed flat conversion, 2511 Eye St. N.W. (Washington, D.C., 1963) [Dr]
7Rodeck, Melita, alterations to flat, 213 10th Street S.E. (Washington, D.C., 1967) [Dr]
7Rodeck, Melita, Saltbox 3228, Monterey Place, lot 4 (1975) [Dr]
7Roumel, Aristotle and Theodore, residence (Washington, D.C., 1963) [Dr]
11Russin, Jonathan, restoration of residence (1966) [Dr]
12Seigel, Leonard M., proposed office building (Washington, D.C., 1965) [Dr]
8Singer, Louis, addition to residence (Washington, D.C., 1965) [Dr]
16Smith, William J., residence remodel (1962) [Dr]
11Thorman, Burton, addition to residence (Arlington, VA, 1961) [Dr]
10Thornton, Ruth E., restoration of residence (Washington, D.C., 1964) [Dr]
10Van der Reyden, apartment (Washington, D.C., 1958-1959) [Dr]
10Van Mater, B., addition to residence (1961) [Dr]
12VIP Lounge, [PB]
26Wallace, Mary, residence (Dare's Beach, MD, 1958) [Dr]
11Wallins, Sam, proposed auto repair shop (Watertown, NY, 1966) [Dr]
8Watters, James , remodeling of residence (1961) [Dr]
10Weinberg, Milton, 6 unit apartment building, 2913 30th Street SE (Washington, D.C. 1966) [Dr]
1617Weinberg, Milton, 6 unit apartment building, 4016 Livingston Road, S.E. (Washington, D.C., 1966) [Dr, PB]
1251618Weinberg, Milton, 12 unit apartment building, 117 Atlantic Street SE (Washington, D.C., 1966) [Dr]
1617Yahraes, Marjorie, addition to residence (Washington, D.C., 1962) [Dr]
11Yeager, Inez, residence (Accokeek, MD, 1959 ) [Dr]
10Zeiger, Leon, draughter's bedroom (1967) [Dr]
12Ziglar, Robert, addition to residence (1968) [Dr]
10Furniture/Miscellaneous1966, n.d.Duckboard, 6'x10' (1966) [Dr]
26Sofa, walnut or teak [Dr]
26Tea cart, walnut [Dr]
26Government1953-1966Andrews Air Force Base, traffic check house (Washington, D.C., 1959) [Dr]
27Andrews Air Force Base, alterations to Air Com facility, building 1558 (Washington, D.C., 1962) [Dr]
27Andrews Air Force Base, Hanger and Shops, Boiler House (MD, 1955) [Dr]
27Andrews Air Force Base, modification of Hanger, building 1-180 (Washington, D.C., 1959) [Dr]
27Barracks [Dr]
25District Training School. Department of Welfare, Holly Cottage, Dogwood Cottage (mechanical and electrical drawings) (Laurel, MD) [Dr]
29District Training School. Department of Welfare, renovation of basements om Pine, Oak, and Maple Cottages (Laurel, MD, 1966) [Dr]
29Federal Records Center, replace roof (Alexandria, VA, 1953) [Dr]
28Guest house concept study [Dr]
17Health, Education and Welfare, South Building, dental clinic renovation (Washington, D.C., 1953) [Dr]
1828Office of the Post Engineer, rehabilitation of Mess Hall, building 18 (Fort Belvoir, VA, 1957) [Dr]
28U.S. Naval Radio Research Station, annex building for 60 foot antenna (Sugar Grove, WV, 1961) [Dr]
28U.S. Naval Research Laboratory--Stairway and Hallway Fire Protection, various buildings. plans for buildings 1, 12, 13, 30 (1959) [Dr]
28Unit Entertainment Center [Dr]
25Urban Planning1960, 1975, n.d.Air rights development in Foggy Bottom, architectural drawing (Washington, D.C., 1975) [Dr]
24Foggy Bottom Park [Dr, PB]
23-427Elevated In-Town Heliport (1960) [Dr]
13High rise city for two hundred thousand, design concept [Dr]
13Ideal Neighborhood [PB]
27Potomac Plaza, proposed [Dr] 1Series IV. Artwork 1931, n.d.Abstract prints, metallic (3)30Charcoal, portraits (2)28Pencil, Vienna193120Sketchbooks (2)20Various mediums (4)23