Brad Pitt’s “Make It Right” project in New Orleans is breaking ground!
March 12, 2008
Concordia Architecture, New Orleans: 2 homes to start building in March
Brad Pitt’s “Make It Right” project of rebuilding houses in the Lower 9th Ward has gotten a lot of press since December, when he announced it, but this is a bandwagon well worth jumping on, so I’ll add another tribute article to the list.
According to the MIR website, after spending considerable time and effort in New Orleans trying to help and talking with leaders, citizens and victims, “Pitt realized that an opportunity existed to build houses that were not only stronger and healthier, but that had less impact on the environment.” He got a group of experts together and they came up with the Make It Right project, with a goal of constructing 150 homes in the Lower 9th Ward, and emphasis on affordable systems that could be replicated.
The group chose 13 accomplished architects and tasked each of them to design a real-world home solution. All of the designs are to the building codes of the area, designed with various green and sustainable materials and practices, fit within a very tight building budget ($150,000), and have designed in flood precautions. Each house is raised off the gound, they all have some form of escape hatch to the roof, and they all have waterproof safes for valuables.
Billes Architecture, New Orleans: 2 homes to start building in March
“Make It Right” helps Katrina victims in the Lower 9th Ward get a house by providing the difference between their assets and the cost of rebuilding. Each homeowner chooses any of the 13 provided design options. Pitt and Hollywood producer, Steve Bing, together contributed an initial $10mil, and a lot more has been raised since then. According to the website, as of today, they have enough to build 80 of their goal of 150 houses, and the number increases as more people contribute.
The best part is - it’s REAL! According to Metropolis Magazine, they are breaking ground on the first five homes this month.
Graft, LA and Berlin: 1 home to start building in March
See pix of all the home designs, an incredible installation called The Pink Project, information about the Lower 9th Ward, all the details on the MIR project AND how to contribute at the Make It Right website.
There is also a great article in the March issue of Metropolis magazine.
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Tags: , architecture, Brad Pitt, Creativity, Design, green, hollywood, Katrina, New Orleans
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March 12th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I love the idea! The houses are affordable and green. There will be future hurricanes. Why not plan for this?
March 14th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Remarkable! I especially like the raised carport area — much safer, more attractive and more useful than the typical crawl space.
March 27th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Its a brilliant initiative.I have been following it up for a while and it has gained a lot of attention and support!!
June 9th, 2008 at 12:41 am
I’ve reviewed all the designs and I’m disappointed in them - but not in Brad Pitt or his idealism and philanthropy. Thank you, Mr. Pitt!
The homes are not accessible to people with mobility impairments or the old. Most have no way of getting a stroller in and out without carrying it down or up a flight of unsheltered exterior stairs. Where do you leave your baby in the rain, or ever? What about Grandpa and his cane, or Grandma and her wheelchair?
Do any of them have wheelchair-accessible bathrooms? Commodes and shower stalls?
Why so much wood in a region known for devastating termite infestations?
Most provided some sort of front porch for socializing, but only one chose to make a nod to the traditional ironwork designs of New Orleans for the rails. Why not more of that? Why no respect for the region’s motifs?
One designed nooks and crannies on the front porch seemingly designed for nothing but a mugger’s comfort and concealment. Any woman would be afraid to go up her own stairs at night in that house.
Several went all strange on the roofs, adding to the expense without adding to the utility. One Japanese design lacks nearly any windows on the sides - nice for privacy and security, but unpleasant to live in.
And re most of the designs - why the disrespect for the expense of furnishing? How can a poor family afford to buy curtains for windows in goofy non-standard sizes or angles?
But again, a thousand thanks to Brad Pitt, and thanks to the thirteen design firms for trying, even if I don’t like what they came up with.