BLDUP sat down with Ruthie Kuhlman, Associate at RODE Architects and the project manager for 102 Temple Street in Worcester, MA. Ruthie has worked across multiple scales and project types for over a decade, as both an architect and an engineer. She has a passion for problem solving through thoughtful contextual design.

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BLDUP: What is happening at 102 Temple Street and who are you working with on the project?

Ruthie Kuhlman: “The project is located in the Canal District in Worcester; an urban, walkable, historic neighborhood with a lot of amenities and new development, including Polar Park. 102 Temple is a gateway site at the edge of the district, which we partnered with Zak Kiritsy  at AKROS Development to reimagine. The project went through site plan review over the last year, with approval in the fall of 2022, and is currently progressing through design drawings.”

BLDUP: What made you want to join this project in Worcester? What is attractive about Worcester?

Ruthie Kuhlman: “We’re excited to be designing in Worcester because of the urban context; it has a great atmosphere with walkable, urban amenities and a lot of history. Through discussions with current residents, we learned that the combination of the urban environment, regional connectivity with the train station, and welcoming laid-back vibe make it a great place to live."

BLDUP: How does the design of 102 Temple Street respect the history of the Canal District?

Ruthie Kuhlman: “102 Temple St is a transitional site, on an edge condition adjacent to Grafton Street and I-290, which are very vehicular oriented, and connecting to Harding St, a main pedestrian thoroughfare. The site has potential to be a gateway building, using the scale and massing to define the edge of Canal District - referencing the adjacent Bradley Osgood Building; while creating a contemporary reflection of Worcester which builds on the design of its industrial past. The project uses  gridded bays with framing and large windows to tie into the industrial language of the area, while using a clean contemporary facade and angling the exterior walls of the building at 5 degrees to create a pocket park on Temple Street for a pedestrian-centric public realm.”

BLDUP: What is the Green Worcester Plan and how did you incorporate your all-electric design element?

Ruthie Kuhlman: “The Green Worcester Plan is a working plan to make Worcester one of the most sustainable and climate-resilient mid-sized cities in America by 2050. The goals of the Green Worcester Plan align well with AKROS’ development goals for 102 Temple St. The building is designed to be all electric and can utilize alternative energy through the integration of a PV array at the roof level. A stacker parking system - the first in the city - which provides the needed parking in the district within a minimal square footage, and will have up to 22 EV charging stations. There is also a bike room in the project and an, EV carshare for residents to use, creating different ways for alternate transportation supplementing the transit oriented location within one block of the train station.

The project is also pursuing mass timber construction, which would utilize cross laminated timber columns, beams and planks to create a sustainable building structure. This would incorporate carbon sequestering into the design of the project, as well as allow for the warmth of the wood structure to be exposed within the project design.  Mass timber is an up-and-coming construction type here in the Northeast, and it’s exciting to incorporate it here in Worcester."

BLDUP: Can we expect more RODE projects in Central Massachusetts, Worcester specifically?

Ruthie Kuhlman: “We’re excited to be working in Worcester and look forward to being involved in more opportunities to help enhance the design of this growing city. RODE brings expertise through our approach to challenging urban sites; figuring out the right solutions to design impactful and contextual projects through collaboration with the client and the city. Worcester has a rich history and a vibrant urban atmosphere which creates great locations to design within."

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Firm appoints Michael DelleFave as Studio Director; Lucas Herringshaw and Ruthie Kuhlman as Senior Associates; Nick Ruggeri as Associate; and Deidre Lamoureux as Associate & Director of Finance

BOSTON, February 1, 2024 - RODE Architects, a Boston-based collaborative design and architecture firm, announced five promotions today as the firm deepens its leadership team and diversifies its project portfolio. Michael DelleFave has been named Studio Director; Lucas Herringshaw and Ruthie Kuhlman have been promoted to Senior Associates; Nick Ruggeri has been named Associate; and Deidre Lamoureux has been promoted to Associate and Director of Finance.

“The evolution of our leadership structure with these five promotions is a demonstration of RODE’s growth and trajectory as we kick off 2024,” said Eric Robinson, principal and co-founder of the firm. “We’re thrilled that Mike, Lucas, Ruthie, Nick and Deidre will continue to be core members of our team in these expanded roles.”

As Studio Director — a new role born out of his passion for design and mentorship — DelleFave will ensure that the firm's portfolio continues to meet a high caliber of design by engaging its staff’s diverse talents and pushing a process that has consistently delivered strong, concept-driven work. Herringshaw and Kuhlman have distinguished themselves through leadership within the studio, and as Senior Associates they will guide and direct firm-wide initiatives towards RODE’s goals. Ruggeri’s promotion celebrates his long dedication to the firm, and his strength in project delivery. Lamoureux’s proficiency in managing the firm’s core operations has been crucial to RODE’s recent success.

“Since founding RODE nearly 20 years ago, we’ve prioritized fostering a culture that allows for the unique creative talents of each individual to contribute meaningfully to our work,” said Kevin Deabler, principal and co-founder of RODE. “We’re proud to acknowledge the achievements of these key team members, and empower them to continue shaping RODE’s evolution and recognition in the industry.”

• Michael DelleFave, AIA, is a registered architect, project manager and senior project designer with more than 17 years of industry experience. His broad range of project types includes Passive House, single-family, multi-family, adaptive reuse, commercial, and community-based projects. A graduate of Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston and Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, he joined RODE in 2014 and continues to contribute to the growth of the next generation of architects as a member of the design faculty at several Boston-area colleges and through his mentorship of RODE design staff.
• Lucas Herringshaw, AIA, brings project coordination experience and attention to detail to RODE, drawing on his experience working on a variety of project types and scales. Lucas, who joined RODE in 2015, pushes design excellence with rigor and dedication, honed through his 20 years of architectural experience. Lucas earned his Master of Architecture Degree at Tulane University.
• Ruthie Kuhlman, AIA, has worked across multiple scales and project types as both an architect and an engineer. A member of the RODE team since 2017, she brings a passion for problem solving through thoughtful contextual design with experience in museum, hospitality and multi-family residential projects. Ruthie holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University and a Master of Architecture from the Boston Architectural College, and is a member of the adjunct faculty at the BAC.
• Nick Ruggeri, AIA, is a registered Architect with more than 10 years of experience in a broad range of projects including multi-family residential, hotels, high-rise, restaurants, light industrial, adaptive reuse, and commercial spaces. He joined RODE in 2015 after graduating from Kansas State University with a Master’s in Architecture and a Minor in Urban Planning. 
• Deidre Lamoureux joined RODE in 2018 as an accounting manager. With more than 25 years leading the finance departments at some of Boston’s leading design firms, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to RODE.

MEDIA CONTACT: Natalie Milewski, Elevate Communications, nmilewski@elevatecom.com

About RODE Architects

RODE is a Boston-based team of architects, designers, and urban planners who know that great design has the power to transform our environment. We have cultivated a network of driven people – employees, clients, builders, community members – who share this mission, and know that working collaboratively is the best way to achieve our goals. The breadth and depth of our collective capabilities enable us to apply our practice across an array of project types that includes mixed-use, hospitality, multi-family, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. Clients select RODE to drive the design process and ensure their vision is realized. For more information and to be inspired visit www.rodearchitects.com.

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We are proud to announce the promotion of Ruthie Kuhlman to Associate at RODE Architects. Ruthie has been with RODE since 2017 and brings a passion for thoughtful contextual design via her experience in museum, hospitality and multi-family residential projects. Her dedication to the firm and design expertise has propelled the firm's capabilities and successfully impacted a multitude of completed and ongoing projects, such as 1515 Commonwealth, 282 Bremen, The Mezz, and The Meetinghouse.

Ruthie is a Registered Architect in MA. Ruthie holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University and a Master of Architecture from the Boston Architectural College. Prior to joining RODE, she worked at Cambridge Seven Associates and ADD Inc. She is also a member of the adjunct faculty at the BAC. Congratulations, Ruthie!

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