Rebuilding New Orleans
Global Green USA and New Orleans – an Overview
After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the inadequate response of the US Government, Global Green USA made a dedicated commitment to sustainable building in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.
Sustainable Design Competition for New Orleans
As part of our commitment to the sustainable rebuilding of New Orleans and demonstrating green building as a solution to global warming nationally, Global Green USA - in collaboration with Brad Pitt as jury chairman- sponsored an international design competition during the summer of 2006. More than 125 entries competed to design a net zero energy affordable housing and community center development in the Holy Cross neighborhood of the Lower 9th Ward.
It was estimated that If 50,000 of the homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina were rebuilt according to the green standards set by the design competition, residents of New Orleans would save $38 million to $56 million in energy bills every year and eliminate over 1⁄2 million total tons of CO2 – the equivalent of taking 100,000 cars off the road.
The design jury selected six finalists, including three teams with New Orleans connections. The teams then worked with the technical jury and met several times with the Holy Cross residents to refine their designs. The finalists presented their refined concepts and designs to the design jury on August 29 and 30, 2006. The design jury selected the design by Matthew Berman and Andrew Kotchen of Workshop/apd, a young NYC firm.
From Winning Design to "Holy Cross" Project
With the support of Lead Funding Partner Home Depot Foundation, Global Green is now working with Workshop/apd and a dedicated and highly skilled team of sustainable design and building experts together with the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association to translate the winning development proposal into a reality. In addition to Workshop/apd, Global Green has assembled a highly skilled and dedicated project team of national experts paired with local professionals with the goal of transferring knowledge to ultimately make green expertise indigenous to New Orleans. Through the Holy Cross Project, Global Green is committed to:
- Creating a green model or showcase for development and rebuilding for New Orleans, and green affordable housing in the US;
- Ensuring the sustainability and long term affordability of the Project’s housing units for residents, and socioeconomic fabric of the neighborhood through the center;
- Educating NOLA residents, the Gulf Coast and broader American public through the Project’s Visitor Center, NOLA resource center, and website about the benefits of green building.
- Advancing smart solutions to global warming that both benefit communities (e.g., affordable housing, schools) and engage stakeholders in building will for action
The Holy Cross Project consists of 5 single-family homes, an 18-unit apartment building, and a community center/sustainable design and climate action center. The goal of the project is to achieve LEED Platinum standards (LEED for Home for the single family homes and LEED NC for the other buildings), net zero energy and carbon neutral building. By using solar panels, high performance building design, HVAC systems, energy and resource monitoring systems, and energy efficient appliances, the buildings in the Holy Cross Project will use at least 75% less energy than typical buildings. In addition, Global Green is also exploring the use of river turbines in the adjacent Mississippi River.
Revitalizing the Holy Cross Neighborhood
As a landmark sustainable development, the Global Green Holy Cross Project is of vital importance to Global Green, the Holy Cross Neighborhood and the people of New Orleans. The success of the project will act as a beacon for sustainable affordable housing development and will create a model that can be replicated by communities around the world. By utilizing multiple green and healthy building strategies, the Global Green Holy Cross Project will add real value by reducing long-term operating costs from energy and water bills, create a healthier living environment by eliminating toxic materials, protect the environment through the use of sustainable materials and empower the people of the Lower 9th Ward to work toward a healthy and sustainable future.
Green Schools
With the help of a $2 million grant from the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund, Global Green USA has launched a high performance schools initiative that is helping benefit thousands of New Orleans students, as well as their teachers and their families. There are five schools to be designated as "Green Seed Schools" that will receive assistance and resources to improve energy and water efficiency, improve indoor air quality, and if feasible, on-site renewable energy generation. A second and more ambitious phase of the program will result in the creation of high performance showcase green schools including the major rehabilitation of two schools over the course of the next two years.
Build It Back Green
Build It Back Green (BIBG) was established in 2008 to provide New Orleans homeowners and small rental property owners who have received Road Home Grants with the necessary information, and technical assistance to rebuild in an affordable and sustainable manner. Global Green has received funding for this program from local and national foundations.