Tom Darden: Making it right after everything’s gone wrong

Emily Spivack ( Bio  /   Posts )  |  Wednesday, April 06, 2011 UTC

Rebuilding efforts are underway after the 9.0 earthquake the rocked Japan in March caused tremendous damage.  But as we’ve learned by now, the destruction and loss of life could have been far greater without Japan’s stringent building codes. There’s a lot to be learned from its approach.

Especially because, in our own backyard, we’re still rebuilding from the catastrophic damage that Hurricane Katrina ravaged in New Orleans over five years ago.  But we are making strides. 

One indicator of that progress is the Make It Right Foundation, founded by Brad Pitt and led by Executive Director Tom Darden. Building houses in the Ninth Ward that are generally smarter and better - i.e., that can withstand another flood, that are built with sustainable materials, and that are cost-effective to construct and maintain - are the primary goals of Make It Right.  Or as Tom Darden put it:

We had to build houses that were safe, affordable, green, adaptive, durable, designed by award-winning architects, designed around the residents’ needs…did I mention affordable?…and with absolutely no compromises.

Fifty houses have been built with at least a hundred more to go in New Orleans. With plans to expand nationally, the organization has made significant inroads but still has a ways to go.

Watch Tom Darden discuss Make It Right’s work to redevelop the Lower Ninth Ward to build safe homes while preserving the community’s rich culture at PopTech 2010.

Tags:

Rate this post:

  • Meh.
  • Love it!
  • Community Rating: 0
Click and drag above to vote.

Comments

Add your comment

No HTML or JavaScript, please.

Keep in mind, your comment may take up to 15 minutes to appear if approved.


(Not shared or displayed)