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Global
Green USA's commitment to green, affordable housing, sustainable cities,
and climate solutions that work for communities inspired this design
competition. The 1.25 acre site is located in Holy Cross neighborhood, one
of two neighborhoods that comprise the Lower Ninth Ward.
The site is developed into six single family
homes, an apartment complex with an integral day-care and community
center, an outside play area and 20 on-site parking spaces. The tallest
building façade facing the city is anchoring the development with the
neighborhood. It is constructed from series of horizontal, operable wood
panels, thus making it transparent and honest. Traditionally private
backyards are semi-public and open into a community garden, which offers
summer stage performances, social interaction in resting areas and
overlook tower, bicycle and jogging ring. Engaging families in small
communities strengthens their social base and helps to overcome the trauma
caused by the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Private open space is provided
on roof gardens, which offer river views as well as increased winds.
Development combines high-level energy
efficiency and on-site energy generation to achieve net-zero and carbon
neutral buildings and site. The uniqueness of the environment in New
Orleans, which offers an abundance of rain water, mild temperatures in
winters, poor air and wind quality, inspired a combination of
energy-saving strategies. They include: passive air conditioning using
water storage in walls and slabs as thermal mass, radiant slabs, cooling
through heat absorption of green roofs, entire heating through
roof-mounted solar tubes, ventilated facades and skylights, double water
system utilizing rain water for toilets and exterior use, electricity
generated in micro-water turbines and integrated photovoltaics, daylight
responsive controls and reflective aluminum wall panels.
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