When New Orleans and the surrounding area are rebuilt it would be great if Rural Studio was somehow involved. I have no idea what can or will be salvaged from the wreckage but this group has the knowledge and experience to build incredible structures from scraps of material, the kind that will likely be in ample supply in a month or two.
The studio was founded in 1993 by two architect professors from Auburn University as a way to give students hands on experience with planning, designing, and building structures while improving the living conditions of people in a poverty stricken county of Alabama. The results of their hard work and creativity are stunning. Their portfolio of work includes community structures, churches and homes that could easily fit on the cover of Dwell or Metropolis magazine. Everything they create is study of fantastic forms and off-angle contemporary features created with materials found or salvaged, like old traffic signs, car windshields, and unfinished lumber.
This is not to say that citizens in the affected areas should be left to rebuild with what's left in the aftermath, and I doubt they will be asked too do so, but I imagine that the people at Rural Studio have the ability to stretch resources farther than the average developer while producing works of architectural art.
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That is so cool. They have some amazing, if not only ingenious, structures thy have done.
The founder of the studio was from my hometown of Meridian, MS.
He passed away just as the studio was really gaining national/international exposure.
Rural Studio looks very interesting to me and I'm glad I head about it.
Props to Samuel Mockbee, yah. Get the books, they're both great. Inspiring.
best idea EVER.
It is a very good idea. Probably why it would never happen.
But that's not the american way. Instead, we'll just give the land to the developer that has the most connections and let them bulldoze it all and put up their vinyl McMansions and a Casino or two.
Architects, for a variety of reasons, have no respect in this country.
Uncanny. I was just thinking yesterday about trying to find a group of architects/builders/environmentalists that are working to design new homes in New Orleans using recycled materials and cost effective housing techniques. Great Idea. Please keep us posted if you hear any developments regarding this.
I am so happy you know about Rural Studio. I discovered them a couple of years ago and was instantly in awe of their progressiv ideas and georgeous designs. Samuel Mockbee was truly a visionary. His ideas could transform the way we build communities.
I was a student of Sambo for several years and worked on the butterfly house at the Rural Studio.
His approach to design and social responsibility center on one notion; That we all deserve to live in dignity.
Bill, since you're an alumn, is it likely that Rural Studio or it's students might be involved in the rebuilding throughout the gulf states?
That's cool that you're up on the Rural Studio.
One of my good friends from Auburn was involved in the Rural Studio rebuild of the Alabama Rural Heritage Center over the past couple of years.
They've finished now, but have a website for the project:
Project Pepper Jelly
My buddy took a job up in NYC and I haven't talked to since Katrina, but I'll ask him if any of his architecture buddies are helping with the rebuild next time I talk to him.