A home for Ms Betty Fighting the evil

A home for Ms Betty Fighting the evil twins Katrina and Rita A collaboration of SIGUS Sustainable Housing in the Bayous: the Lift House Initiative

What did we do? We explored the context We explored the issues We learned building and local practice, and met families We designed a concept We monitored and learned from the process We designed and built components We make information available to other Ms Bettys And Ms Betty is pleased And we go on – further research for other Ms Bettys – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 2

We explored the context Field Surveys Hurricane effects Bayou culture Traditional housing Current housing – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 3

We explored the issues A broad-based student team tackled the challenge Core team of Architecture students, all levels Advanced students as technical ‘advisors’ - environment - structural engineering - lifting technology Outside professionals in support - engineering - construction - environment – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 4

We learned building and local practice, and met families Volunteer Weeks In Louisiana – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 5

Jacob’s house and Don’s house were repaired as we learned – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 6

We designed a concept Louisiana Lift House Ms Betty + Volunteers + Sustainability Wind Flood Environment Culture Flexibility = Built on ground with volunteers then lifted – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 7

We were very concerned about cultural sensitivity – Bayou residents 12’-0 structural module “We want flexibility” Basic Unit Module 24’--0” “We don’t want it to be weird” Ms Betty’s Home – SIGUS A House for Ms Betty 8

We studied and included environmental sustainability elements DURABILITY-STORM WORTHINESS FRAMING strapping, clips nailing schedule roof shape roof material framing treatment advanced framing WALL ASSEMBLY exterior rain screen panel siding insulating sheathing INTERIOR flood tolerate gypsum interior trim ceramic tile flooding subfloor alternative flooring ENERGY AND RESOURCE EFFICIENCY MINIMIZE SOLAR GAIN house orientation overhangs material color radiant barrier low-E windows shutters plant shading VENTILATION natural ventilation fans INSULATION AIR FILTRATION unfaced insulation chalking CONSTRUCTION WASTE REUSE HVAC SYSTEMS – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 9

We monitored and learned from the process – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 10

All construction phases were studied and documented. – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 11

We designed and built components A Design-Build International Workshop in Louisiana Sweat! Design! Build! Four projects: • Washing area for volunteer village • Trellis walkway for volunteer village • Replanning of site • Storm Shutter design for Gulf Coast housing – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 12

’ on ilt bu acti We d ‘in an Wash area with recycled materials Plants for cooling without wind risk – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 13

ns d ge arde an g arr ay re w ite walk S d an nted pla Shade and site planning by ed lders pt do l bui A a loc Affordable storm shutters for the Gulf Coast – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 14

We make information available to other Ms Bettys and supporters “BUILDING UP ON THE BAYOUS” A guide for building on the hurricane Gulf Coast for community groups and homeowners Contents: Getting Started Choosing the House Design Working with Volunteers Managing the Construction Celebration and Reflection Reaching the DIY builders Selected Resources – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 15

Format designed for dual poster and report use – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 16

And Ms Betty is pleased! Her home is finished! From an idea – and sweet beginnings: A permit – A site – And it begins! Building the base And Lift Off! Up it goes! Starting framing – Covered Almost there – – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 17

Many Lift Houses planned - six completed! One is underway We will assist in an outreach program in a ‘see-learn-do’ approach. The evil twins Katrina and Rita have lost? – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 18

And now the Lift House plans are available for all: - tested - proven - affordable - SAFE! and even Gustav couldn’t stop them… – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 19

And we go on – further research for other Ms Bettys Increasing Code Compliance to Upgrade Housing Quality The Program: Preparation of ‘user friendly’ aids to clarify process: Posters, leaflets, multi-media guides Review of process and brainstorm with officials to streamline approach and accessibility: Combine steps. Better user access: location, times, mobile office? Lower fees? A Home for Ms Betty 19

And we go on Outreach to the ‘Little Nicks’ The Informal DIY’ers How can we future architects help the vast number of people who build by themselves? It is the cajun way - build your own house! Most lower income build informally. Recent imposition of building codes, with increased requirements and costs will multiply informal building. The research questions: 1 - What five things do we tell informal builders that must be done to improve survivability of hurricanes? 2 - How do we reach ‘Little Nicks’ - how do we communicate? – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 21

And now to think about a Community of Lift Houses… “Villages on the First Floor” “A rethinking of what it means - and what form it would take - when living in a world of Lift Houses” – SIGUS A Home for Ms Betty 22

Sustainable Housing on the Bayous A TRAC-Oxfam American-SIGUS/MIT collaboration. This project is a part of an initiative to rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina on the bayous of southern Louisiana, and to protect against future hurricane challenges. A broad range of interventions are considered: rebuilding and repair, outreach and training, and regulatory processes, for the formal and informal construction sectors. Terrebonne Readiness and Assistance Coalition www. trac 4 la. com Oxfam America www. oxfamamerica. org/gulfcoast SIGUS Special Interest Group in Urban Settlement web. mit. edu/sigus rgoethert@mit. edu Massachusetts Institute of Technology School of Architecture and Planning September 2008