Make It Right is proud to announce the completion of the Frank Gehry-designed, New Orleans’ duplex in the Lower 9th Ward. The colorful, LEED Platinum home is part of an affordable and sustainable community that is currently being developed by Brad Pitt’s Make It Right foundation within the NOLA neighborhood most devastated from Hurricane Katrina.
“I really believe in what Brad is doing for the community and was honored to be included,” said Frank Gehry. “I wanted to make a house that I would like to live in and one that responded to the history, vernacular and climate of New Orleans. I love the colors that the homeowner chose. I could not have done it better.”
Continue after the break for more.
In order to maximize privacy, the 1780 square foot duplex uses a front-to-back organization, with a three bedroom, two bath home in the front and a one bedroom, one bath rental unit in the back. The design features a 510 square foot rooftop terrace shaded by a waterproof solar canopy, six additional canopied porches, open interior and exterior staircases, oversized windows and a well-proportioned yard. Bathrooms and staircases are stacked to increase construction efficiency and affordability.
Solar: Lumos LSX frameless solar modules produce clean energy from the sun and double as a waterproof canopy to provide shade on the two rooftop terraces. www.lumossolar.com
Metal Roofs: 26 gauge metal roofs used on the lower porches absorb less heat, reduce the need to cool a home by at least 20 percent and require minimal maintenance.
Siding: NICHIHA fiber cement board siding is designed to last 50 years and withstand cracks, rot, hail damage and termites. www.nichiha.com
Framing Lumber: ECOBLU wood, used in framing the home, is treated to resist moisture, mold, fungus, wood rot and wood-ingesting insects, including Formosan termites. www.ecob.net
Paint: Benjamin Moore’s Natura and Aura paints have zero VOCs and help create better air quality by eliminating off-gassing.
The exterior paint colors are Teacup Rose and Lily Lilac with Brilliant White trim. The interior colors of front home are Berber White, Manor Blue, Glowing Apricot and Sweet Daphne. The interior colors of the rear home are Roasted Sesame Seed, Kansas Grain and Manor Blue. www.benjaminmoore.com
Windows & Doors: Marvin Integrity All Ultrex Low-E windows from Gulf Enterprises help keep the home cool during the summer months and warm during the winter. www.gulf-enterprises.com
Cabinets: Legacy Cabinets use sustainably harvested wood and environmentally friendly production methods. www.legacycabinetsllc.com
HVAC: Unico System is a small-duct central heating and air conditioning system that utilizes compact, modular air handlers and flexible tubing to heat or cool the home. Unico System is 1/3 the size of conventional HVAC systems and can fit into smaller spaces, saving both material and labor costs. www.unicosystem.com
Tankless Waterheater: Noritz tankless waterheaters heat water instantaneously and are at least 80 percent more energy efficient than conventional heaters, reducing the homeowner’s annual water heating cost by about 50 percent. www.noritz.com
Countertops: ECO by Cosentino countertops and surfacing material are composed of 75% recycled raw material, including glass, mirror, porcelain and a corn oil resin. www.ecobycosentino.com.
Hardwood Floors: Shaw EPIC Laminate Hardwood’s inner layer is made from post-industrial recycled content and uses approximately 50 percent less newly harvested wood than conventional alternatives. The wood flooring color is Wheel Wright Hickory. www.shawfloors.com
Carpet: Shaw Green Edge carpet is made from post-consumer nylon and can be recycled into new carpet at the end of its lifecycle. The carpet color used throughout the home is Biscuit. www.shawfloors.com
Gehry is one of 21 architects who are contributing their talent to Make It Right. Check out some of the others here on ArchDaily.
