MANAVES, KRIEGEL
NEW ORLEANS
LOWER NINTH WARD
The project we propose was originally developed as a response to a local competition in the Holy Cross neighborhood in New Orleans. We chose to expand our original design and redevelop the entire Lower Ninth Ward including a solution that would allow a complete independent society free from the failures of local and federal governments. We believe New Orleans and the entire Ninth Ward is the ideal location for such a solution due to the lethal combination of Katrina and the shortcomings of organized government including social, economic and environmental issues.
We include a scaled solution ranging from the Ninth Ward’s devastated landscape to the detail of the contraction and fabrication of future housing within that ward. Three major obstacles include the initial funding needed from the local and federal governments, the freedom of spending that money to develop the community that would be self sustainable and finally the encouragement of previous residents to repopulate and share the land they once knew.
Lower Ninth Ward Reclamation
The re-use of land in the Lower Ninth Ward is determined by the catastrophic flood data from Hurricane Katrina. The devastated is reclaimed by agricultural and solar farming leaving higher grounds for high and low density housing capable of accommodating the original 5000 residents. The local dependency on the federal levee system is no longer an issue. This alteration would benefit all residents of the Lower Ninth Ward producing both goods and power for the community to share. A wind farm ranging from three to five generators would supplement power for the solar farm in time of need. This combination would generate enough energy for the entire population of the Lower Ninth Ward further removing the dependence on local power stations.
A warehouse is reclaimed for the manufacturing of future prefabricated housing. Its ideal location on the river allows for a bridging to the needed industries.
PHASE ONE - INFO BOX
Learning from the Ninth Ward
The Info Box design concept is to create a modular prefabricated structure for information and collaboration, while becoming the prototype for the sustainable housing development. Its multifunctional program will service the community’s rich history while becoming the focal point for its rebirth. This phase will also assist in the necessary interests and investments needed in the community that might not be readily available for an immediate intervention.
Three main program functions will include an exhibition space for residents and visitors, training classrooms and a neighborhood design studio. The redevelopment would be headed from these locations allowing for a full collaboration for residents and designers.
BIM
Using existing design tools and Building Information Modeling the design process would be accelerated from the speed of thought to the speed of build.
This concept would be developed at all Info Box locations allowing for residents to take part in redevelopment of their Ward. Manufacturing would take place locally and with direct assistance from local residents when capable. After the life of the Info Box has been reacted it would be disassembled and reused in the building of the remaining dwellings within the Ninth Ward.
PHASE TWO - Redevelopment
Development begins at the levee’s edge. The site opens upward from its center allowing landscape and building to coexist. The entrance is a continuation of the plaza, inviting the neighborhood to join in at the community activities. A glass entry leads the visitors and residents through to the community center, day-care center and housing. The landscape plaza holds many events including live performances and art exhibits while servicing the day-care center.
The prototype housing complex responds to the site by first taking the lot size and creating an inner garden enclosed by the single family housing to the north and a housing complex to the south. The landscaped plates rise above allowing the functional spaces below while keeping the site footprint to a minimum. The plaza also is the main entrance to the retail space located to the north below the landscape plates. This opportunity allows for local business to service both the Lower Ninth Ward and adjacent residents.
GREEN DESIGN
Site
The site planning is one of many environmental considerations in our project. The two separate landscape plates slope in each direction moving rain water and grey water through soil filters and constructed wetlands. On the north housing line only rain water is filtered and collected for immediate use or storage. On the south side rain water and grey water pass thru a constructed wetland replacing the existing street and ending at the levy where it is also collected. All paving is permeable at ground level allowing for runoff to be absorbed by the ground.
Structure and Enclosure
The main structure is constructed from fly ash concrete reducing the resources in production and limited to secure its strength against hurricane winds. The remaining constructed elements are prefabricated from environmental conventional building materials and based on a four by eight foot module reducing cost and waste. After reaching its life span each component would be reused for future housing development as in the reuse of the Info Box. The training and assembly for these components would be secured to the local community creating immediate jobs. The main south facade is screened by a solar fabricate for energy collection and hurricane protection. The resident is allowed to adjust the shade as needed for shading and power reinforcing the resident the importance of solar power and heat gain. Each unit also takes advantage of cross ventilation.