Brad Pitt, Steve Bing Plan New 150-Home Community in New Orleans
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 09.26.07
Actor Brad Pitt has just communicated plans to build a new community of homes in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward. Announcing the new effort at today's meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative, Pitt will be partnering with real-estate developer and philanthropist Steve Bing to create 150 low-price, sustainable homes as part of Pitt's "Make it Right" project.
In terms of moola, Pitt pledged to match $5 million in contributions to the project, while Bing has pledged to match $5 million in contributions—that's $10 million total in matching funds. (We did the math for you.)
"The heart and soul of New Orleans, specifically the people of the Lower 9th Ward, are paramount to this project," said Pitt. "The words of one elderly man who is determined to return to New Orleans led to the name of our organization: he asked us, directly simply and profoundly, to help make it right. So that's what we're doing. We're going to help make it right with 150 sustainable, affordable houses—houses that stand out for their design both aesthetically and structurally, so that these people can live in beautiful safe structures that respect their spirit and provide a good quality of life."
Notably, Make it Right is collaborating with William McDonough + Partners to develop the environmental criteria guiding the project, using Cradle-to-Cradle philosophies to design and choose materials for the new homes.
I've been in New Orleans several times after Katrina. It's devastated. But I've got to say, if you're going to rebuild the lower 9th ward, you have to do the civil engineering to protect it from further flooding. It's a bowl. There will be other storms and it will be hit again. They really have to bury parts of New Orleans and build a NEW 9th ward ON TOP of the ruins of the old one. If they build new homes on the same level as the old homes, it will just be a matter of time before it floods again.
What New Orleans needs most in my opinion is dirt, lots and lots of dirt.
More than one way to skin a cat:
People have been simply jacking up old pier and beam houses and placing them on new high concrete block piers to raise them up several more feet. A pretty simple idea.
http://www.kodiaksteelhomes.com/Brookside-C83.aspx
http://www.kodiaksteelhomes.com/Windmaster-C79.aspx
I just hope that that particle board (sorry, engineered wood) monstrosity in the background is not one of them.
Read more about the project here:
http://www.makeitrightnola.org/
Are they going to use the shipping crates to build really nice houses really affordably. If you don't know what I'm talking about, here's a nice article about the shipping crate houses.
I don't know about that, what I do know is the government have been half-ass in fixing the leeves.
What I want to know is how come the Europeans can make better Leeves then USA and why don't we talk about this problem and how the oil companies are ruining the coastland?
Why isn't re-location being considered? Any infrastructure put in place here will require wasteful repairs and maintenance. When will we learn that paving wetlands to build coastal cities below sea level is a bad idea?
Brad, your heart may be in the right place but........
don't use OSB in damp climates #1 and #2 look at
what the Dutch are doing in Flood their zones.
Then plan first and build second.
cc Bil, Steve, William and others
Read more about the project at
http://www.makeitrightnola.com
I wish brad pitt can read this Im a mother of 4 I was a frist time homeowener in the lower 9 ward.My home was15mouths old I work very hard to get this home and now my kids and i have nothing.I call the makeitright project and i was told that my aderess didnt make the list. In would very much to come home but i need help is there someone out there to help my kids and and i come home?
I am trying to contribute to Brad Pitts home efforts,
and, can`t seem to find a way to do so, on this website. Can you help me?
Why are they not considering and using Pole House technology for the homes to be built in the Lower 9th Ward??? Pole house engineering is the only sensible construction to use in a flood plain. Pole Houses are the lowest cost per sf and strongest construction method, bar none.
IT WILL FLOOD AGAIN in the Lower 9th Ward. It's just a matter of time. BUT, that doesn't mean that the homes will be wiped away again. Check out http:www.polehouses.com These guys are the experts in designing, engineering and constructing homes to be built in flood plains, and high wind hurricane zones.
Why are they not considering and using Pole House technology for the homes to be built in the Lower 9th Ward??? Pole house engineering is the only sensible construction to use in a flood plain. Pole Houses are the lowest cost per sf and strongest construction method, bar none.
IT WILL FLOOD AGAIN in the Lower 9th Ward. It's just a matter of time. BUT, that doesn't mean that the homes will be wiped away again. Check out http:www.polehouses.com These guys are the experts in designing, engineering and constructing homes to be built in flood plains, and high wind hurricane zones.
If there is really global warming, then New Orleans should be rebuilt with sustainability in mind.. A little of Venice should be incorporated, "The Venice of The Gulf",, a little bit of Holland should be incorporated,,, "WindMills, and dikes",, a little of Atlantis,, "this time we will not go down",, and a little of NEMO,, "Hey water is the key to life",,
If you all need help on the dream side,,,
Alan here,, let me know it I can help
Great concept, best intentions, but have you thought of the consequences and maintain abliltiy of the project. Do the folks who move back into in the parish, have jobs, etc.. Instructure of a community is vital, sewer, power, maintenance, police protection. I'm sure you have thought of the issues involved in recreating a neighborhood. I understand there is a high crime rate in NO. My family was wiped out in St. Charles, who is rebuilding in that parish?
Are you planning for the Corp of Engineers to meet the requirements needed to maintain the levies.
I will maike financial contribution.
I work in New Orleans during the week. I've seen the two blocks were the Pitt project is going on. Most of the houses built back so far are either exactly at the same level (1 to 2 feet off ground) or 3 feet off ground. Very few houses are up on piers. Very few. All of eastern N.O. and Chalmett was under water. Maybe N.O. will be spared further terrible storms.
New Orleans politicans are not interested in steel framed homes that exceed 120 mph winds or for that matter, providing inexpensive, durable and energy efficient Manufactured Insulation Injected Panelized Wall Steel Framed Homes.
I have tried to introduce Manufactured Insulation Injected Panelized Wall Steel Framed Homes to New Orleans politicans, FEMI, etc., but know cares.
Bruce Henion
http:eqneedsinc.com
http:uscarrierhistory.com
I am a contractor in Ca. I would feel privlaged to help in the construction of this project. I personally feel that the people of New Orleans should be involved in building this neighborhood.allowing them to earn an income,and creating a communitiy spirt.I believe with some professional guidence this can be realized.If I can help e-mail me at todd_holladay@sbcglobal.net
sincerly Todd Holladay
we are looking for work if you need framers.
We see the town of Greensburg getting rebuilt and they have their own show. Why does it seem that those efforts are not being reflected in N.O? When will they be building better, improved levees... and why arent they building these new homes smarter? Sure they are green, but what good is that if they are being built just as low lying as the homes they are replacing? Only to be flooded again when the unimproved levees break...