June 21, 2009

By: Cooper-Hewitt N. from New York, NY
Comments: 1

I live in the lower ninth ward, within walking distance of the Make it Right homes and the other Pitt project with Global Green. I think some of the houses are wonderful--they seem to combine historical design concepts with more modern touches and they are grounded in actual function as a space to live in a particular environment. (A few, honestly, don't make that much sense to me.) But many local designers and architects have said that they are all examples of terrible design, because they are prohibitively expensive to build unless you have Brad Pitt raising the money. Something else you all might want to look at is the number of historic homes that are still gutted, vacant and waiting for renovation--also in the lower ninth ward as well as all over town. How can these shells be brought back into use, retaining their truly historic structures while updating their efficiency.

Posted By: Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum
On: 6/8/2009 2:27:36 PM

As the CHNDM Education team gear up for the 2009 City of Neighborhoods in New Orleans, It's interesting to follow the discussion on designs for replacement housing in the 9th ward. The main contributor to date is the Brad Pitt inspired Make it Right Foundation. Make it Right is planning 150 new houses for the ward and has already completed 25 highly energy efficient and hurricane resistant designs. Learn about the community consultation process and the design thinking at https://makeitrightnola.org/index_progress.php. Another quirkier and more controversial contribution to the housing discussion has come from Slovenian artist Marjetica Potrc. Potrc is one of those contemporary artists who have turned their attention to burning public issues and has been creating works themed around housing in the third world and sustainability for many years. Take a look at her "Shotgun House" design and the ideas behind it at: https://www.inhabitat.com/2008/10/25/marjetica-portc-shotgun-house-heartland/#more-15567.

Posted By: Ken Foster
On: 6/21/2009 7:05:51 AM

I live in the lower ninth ward, within walking distance of the Make it Right homes and the other Pitt project with Global Green. I think some of the houses are wonderful--they seem to combine historical design concepts with more modern touches and they are grounded in actual function as a space to live in a particular environment. (A few, honestly, don't make that much sense to me.) But many local designers and architects have said that they are all examples of terrible design, because they are prohibitively expensive to build unless you have Brad Pitt raising the money. Something else you all might want to look at is the number of historic homes that are still gutted, vacant and waiting for renovation--also in the lower ninth ward as well as all over town. How can these shells be brought back into use, retaining their truly historic structures while updating their efficiency.