URBANbuild is a design-build program offered to Architecture students at Tulane University that addresses prototypical housing in a Post-Katrina New Orleans. A team of students designs and constructs a single-family home over a school year. Sustainability, efficiency, and affordability are all parameters throughout the design process. Urbanbuild4 achieved LEED Silver Certification.
Role: Design & Construction
Impact: Affordable housing prototype meant to improve hurricane preparation
Location: New Orleans, LA
Among my responsibilities was designing, fabricating, and installing the exterior panel and guardrail systems. I welded the panel frames from light-gauge steel and embedded them with polycarbonate panels. Polycarbonate is a lightweight, impact-resistant material that readily allows light passage. Each panel is operable, and residents may move the panels to protect the home from debris during a storm. The guardrail system provides constant privacy from passing vehicles along the street fronts.
