UC kicks off sixth Habitat house Saturday

The University of Cincinnati will kick off construction of its sixth Habitat for Humanity house this Saturday at 9 AM.

Located at 3253 Wolseley Lane in Avondale, UC faculty and students will be building a new handicap-accessible design, which is expected to set a precedent for other Habitat affiliates around the nation.

This is one of three houses planned for people with disabilities between Stewart Place and Hale Street.

The house design resulted from a competition sponsored by Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity, the UC Center for Community Engagement, the UC Institute for Community Partnerships, the Office of the University Architect, the UC College of DAAP, and the UC Community Design Center.

The competition challenged students to create a new design using the criteria of livability, accessibility, sustainability, affordability, feasibility, sociability and beauty.

Architecture students Zach Fein and Julie Fowler developed the winning design*, as judged by a member of the School of Architecture and Interior Design, Habitat, and a person with disabilities.

In addition to a concrete ramp, modified cabinets and a larger bathroom, the house will feature vaulted ceilings and additional shade and insulation.

Tyann Edwards' family will partner on the project.

In May, Habitat and the University of Cincinnati dedicated their fifth build at 3570 Haven Street, also in Avondale.

Between 2003 and 2007, UC students completed two other homes on Haven Street and two homes on Winkler Street in Mount Auburn.

This year, Habitat will build 11 new homes and will complete one rehabilitation.

* Unfortunately, I could not find a rendering of the new house style.

Previous reading on BC:
Habitat to kick off two new Avondale homes, dedicate another (5/28/08)
UC begins fifth Habitat house Saturday (10/5/07)
Habitat and UC to build third Avondale home (7/29/07)