Under the direction of Byron Mouton, AIA; in collaboration with bild DESIGN llc.

 

URBANbuild is a year long design/build program at Tulane University. I was one of 15 students who  participated in the second semester of the program -- a full time construction studio. We built an affordable residential prototype in Central City, a low-income neighborhood in New Orleans. The home is now occupied by a resident of the community.

The three part house responds to the dense urban fabric of the neighborhood through the development of a generous front porch and rear porch. The strategy also introduces a side courtyard -- inviting natural light and providing immediate access to 'contained' green space. Living, eating and sleeping spaces are divided into three distinct volumes clustered around this garden. The front and rear covered porches act as extensions of the interior spaces providing ample cross ventilation. The collection and careful distribution of water to three specific locations presents opportunity for garden maintenance while also decreasing impact on the already tested groundwater conditions of the environment.

We broke ground in mid-January and completed our punch list in late April.

Design and Drawing Copyright bild DESIGN llc. 2011