The Revitalist

When I heard that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had moved to New Orleans a while back, I thought it was a little odd; but Pitt's latest announcement is, I guess, the logical outgrowth of that decision. Pitt has announced the designs for his Make It Right project – a project that will build 150 affordable, green houses in the Lower Ninth Ward. You can browse the designs on the website and sponsor a whole house or a particular element, like a thermostat, a refrigerator, or a low-flush toilet. You can even donate in someone else's name and give them a certificate instead of the standard Christmas sweater. Pitt explained the how and why behind the project on NPR.

The project team includes William McDonough + Partners (green design), Graft (master planning and collaborators with the Jolie-Pitt Foundation on projects around the world), and the Cherokee Gives Back Foundation (financing). The project asked architecture firms to submit designs (pro-bono) for houses that could be sold for $150,000, had at least 3 bedrooms and a front porch, and incorporated green and sustainable design. The designs are in, and it looks like this is the short list of designs from which residents will choose.

Concordia's design features a front stair that is sized for entertaining.

Morphosis' design will float like a boat during a flood.

This design, by BNIM, is my favorite. It seems the most closely related to the vernacular architecture of the area.