Rendering by Patrick Lopez http://www.watercolorlopez.com/
View a high-res image of the Make it Right House Design
Download a high-res PDF of the Make it Right House Design
New Orleans: Make It Right
Because of our firm’s history of involvement in New Orleans relief efforts, as well as our national reputation for sustainable design leadership, BNIM was selected to participate in New Orleans: Make it Right. The Make It Right (MIR) Foundation, supported by celebrity and activist Brad Pitt, set its mission as providing quality housing for individuals and families affected and displaced by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Working together with a group of local, national, and international architects, in coordination with citizens of the Lower Ninth Ward and with the support of MIR, BNIM designed a 940 square foot, energy efficient, affordable dwelling for the community. The overall design originates from the shotgun style home, celebrating the unique aesthetic of the New Orleans community. Building orientation, daylight and energy efficiency were taken into high consideration throughout the design. Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), and mold-resistant walls will maximize efficiency, minimize waste, and respond to the local climate. Outdoor spaces are incorporated with ample porches, fostering interaction between neighbors and enriching the urban fabric of the neighborhood. A rainwater cistern and portable solar energy packs outfit the home’s “area of refuge” so that residents may remain safe in the event of future flooding. The roof structure is ready to receive south facing photovoltaic panels that will contribute to achieve the ultimate goal of a zero-energy house.
Timeline
- 2005: BNIM contributed a $25,000 donation to support Tulane University's redevelopment efforts
- 2005: BNIM contributed a significant donation to support the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Department of Architecture, Urban Planning and Design studio
- 2005: Through the U.S. Green Building Council, Bob Berkebile helped to develop sustainable rebuilding guidelines for New Orleans. This initial effort resulted in the “New Orleans Principles” published later in 2005.
- 2005: Bob Berkebile assisted on the sustainable restoration initiative for the Holy Cross and Lower Ninth Ward Neighborhoods
- 2006: “Learning from Disaster: A Vision and Plan for Sustainable Schools and Revitalized Public Education in New Orleans in the Wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.” Two individuals from BNIM participated in the session: Bob Berkebile was involved in the coordination of the effort through the USGBC; Brad Nies took part in the charrette.
- 2006: Bob Berkebile served as a professional advisor for the New Orleans Global Green design competition for sustainable rebuilding in the Lower Ninth Ward, sponsored by Brad Pitt.
- 2006: BNIM Architects was engaged as a member of the team (along with John C. Williams Architects and Camiros) retained by the New Orleans Community Support Foundation to develop a Neighborhood Disaster Recovery Plan for the Lower Ninth Ward and Holy Cross Neighborhoods.
- 2006: BNIM served as sustainability consultants for the UrbanBuild house designed and constructed in the Upper Treme neighborhood by students at the Tulane University school of Architecture
- 2007-ongoing: “Deep Design, Deep Green” efforts involving four local, four national and four international firms. BNIM represented one of the national firms
- 2007-ongoing: BNIM, in collaboration with John C. Williams Architects, is creating a master plan to redevelop the former Holy Cross School Campus site in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward. Among the potential planning ideas being considered by the team are: "low-rise density" housing and retail space, sustainable and phased building, green space, education and schools, health care, the reintroduction of some area streets, flood protection and an ampitheater.
- 2007-ongoing: New Orleans Riverfront Redevelopment - BNIM Architects is currently working with a private developer on an $85 million redevelopment of approximately five city blocks along New Orleans' riverfront, just south of the city's Central Business District. The plan for the redevelopment includes retrofitting a former Entergy power facility for use as a new hotel with retail accommodations and redeveloping the land adjacent to the power facility into a mixed-use development that would include housing, retail, parking and office space.
