From the introduction by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour:
As a result of the leadership of the Governor's Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal and the efforts of many talented professionals, A Pattern Book for Gulf Coast Neighborhoods is now available.
This valuable tool marks a new beginning in the rebuilding efforts of our residents
and businesses throughout the Gulf Coast region.While many of our most loved places have disappeared, we are compelled to rebuild the Coast in a time-honored way.To ensure that this effort is properly performed, I urge builders to use this pattern book in their efforts. It will not only result in beautiful buildings, but also strong and well- protected homes and businesses.
A Pattern Book for Gulf Coast Neighborhoods follows the tradition of American town building by providing practical tools and resources for small builders, homeowners and suppliers. In an effort to conserve and restore the sense of place that is specific to each locality, this book provides a kind of DNA code for our communities and our inherited architecture. Pattern books have been in use since ancient Roman times, and the British brought the idea to the American colonies, where pattern books remained a common town-building tool through the first half of the 20th Century.
Within this pattern book is a resource that offers general direction for character retention that should be used in both renovation, as well as new construction opportunities.
