Make It Right

While vacationing in New Orleans, Mr. A and I took a city tour which included the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina.

Seeing for myself the devastation was very sobering indeed.

We were very surprised the amount of homes that have yet to be repaired or rebuilt.

It appears that there is so much work to do still.

Here, people are working on their home, but it looks so overwhelming.

 It's hard to believe the water rose to 13 feet in this neighborhood, flooding the attics.  

Notice the hole cut in the roof....

So many residents opted to leave New Orleans instead of rebuilding, leaving behind deserted homes.

Wikipedia

Many vowed to someday return...

So I was happy to learn that in the Lower 9th Ward, rebuilding has begun in a very positive way.

In 2007, Brad Pitt visited New Orleans and was just as surprised to see little rebuilding, so he took action and formed the Make It Right foundation, which builds green homes for people in need.

He committed to build 150 homes in the Ninth Ward.

These aren't like the homes that were here before at all.  Instead, they are LEED Platinum Certified using Cradle to Cradle technology.

This is an example of a Make It Right home with its solar panels and the only home I was able to personally photograph.

Make It Right

The website though has many photos, depicting the varying and unique architecture of Make It Right Homes, designed by architects that have donated their services.

These homes are available to the residents of the 9th Ward before Katrina, as well as teachers and first responders.

Make It Right

This home has a living roof planted with sedums which will help keep the interior cool.

All of the homes are at least five feet off the ground and come with escape hatches should another hurricane hit.

Designed by Shigero Ban Architects of Tokyo, Japan

Make It Right

Some, even more which provides parking underneath, as well as safety from floods.

Pervious concrete is used allowing for storm water to infiltrate.

Designed by Concordia Architects of New Orleans.

Make It Right

I think this home is attractive.  It was built offsite as three modular units and assembled onsite.

Designed by Waggoner and Ball Architects of New Orleans.

Make It Right

The interiors look to be very attractive.  

The paint used is by Benjamin Moore and has no VOC's.

Make It Right

All appliances are ENERGY STAR.

The cabinets are from Legacy Cabinets and contain no formaldehyde. 

Make It Right

The countertops are by Eco by Cosentino and are made with 76% recycled content.

Make It Right

The floor coverings used are from Shaw using recycled and post-consumer materials, utilizing the Cradle to Cradle philosophy.

It's nice to know that the average price of a home is $150,000 making them very affordable. 

Make It Right

The Lower 9th Ward at sunset.

Kudos to Brad Pitt and the Make It Right foundation for making it right again.

Make It Right's mission is to build healthy, affordable homes for communities in need, not just in New Orleans but also in Kansas City and Newark.  

They rely on donations from people, corporations and foundations to get the job done.

For more information and how to contribute, visit their website here.