In New Orleans' Ninth Ward, Hurricane Katrina's devastation is painfully evident. But a philanthropic homebuilding effort led by actor Brad Pitt aims to help the neighborhood rebuild. The first homes in that effort have just completed construction.
"The first six homes built by Pitt's Make It Right Foundation are now finished. They represent not only fresh starts for homeowners, but also blueprints for affordable, storm-resistant, and sustainable housing designs. 'The goal is to bring people back,' says John Williams, the New Orleans architect supervising the endeavor. 'But this project is also a laboratory for what can be done here and elsewhere.'"
"Heavily subsidized by Pitt's foundation, the per-house budget of $150,000 is possible because of donated materials and services, including the architects' designs. Williams acknowledges that these prototypes exceeded the budget, but says costs will drop as more houses are built. The goal is to build 150 homes; Pitt's foundation has raised money for 87 of them."
"The first homeowners selected designs by Billes Architecture and Concordia, both New Orleans firms, along with KieranTimberlake of Philadelphia and Los Angeles-based Graft. With their edgy silhouettes and exuberant color schemes, the new houses stand in stark contrast to the ruined neighborhood that surrounds them."
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Read the full story: In New Orleans, Pitt's First "Make It Right" Homes Complete
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