I have highlighted a few celebrities in my recent blogs, but this one deserves some long overdue recognition. The Make It Right Foundation (MIR) combines my favorite things, Responsible-Sustainable Architecture, positively changing people’s lives, New Orleans and Brad Pitt! Everybody wins in my book, and judging from the “Brad Pitt for Mayor” t-shirts that are floating all around NOLA, I am not alone. After touring the Katrina devastated Lower 9th Ward in 2007, Pitt decided that, since there was still no clear plan in place from governmental sources, he had to do something.
Now we know that the 45 year old father of six has a charitable side and a generous soul. He has along with his lovely partner Angelina, donated over a million dollars to various causes through the Jolie-Pitt Foundation. But for the Make it Right project, Pitt donated 5 million of his own money to get the ‘wrecking ball’ rolling. That is amazingly selfless, even for someone with his bankroll. “I get antsy when I can’t get down here” Pitt stated on the Today Show about being on the job site in the Lower 9th. He is dedicated to seeing this project through and wants it to be the model for affordable, energy efficient homes, not only for NOLA, but for the entire U.S.
MIR has plans for 150 high performance homes that function equally in safety and energy efficiency. Cost is also a factor so it is important that the homes are affordable for the families that live in the 9th district of New Orleans. MIR announced in July that they are starting a line of duplexes, based on homeowners wanting to have extended family close.
“All of these architects faced a daunting set of challenges. They were asked to base their work on a very traditional New Orleans home – the duplex. We also asked them to make the home green, affordable, and durable enough to weather the storms to come. In addition, they were expected to do it using materials inspired by William McDonough’s Cradle-to-Cradle philosophy and verified to be non-toxic and recycle-able. They cleared that high bar AND created homes of great and lasting beauty”, Make It Right Executive Director, Tom Darden explained.
Some of the unique features the homes include rooftop escape hatches, hurricane resistant window covers and pervious concrete sidewalks and driveways that easily absorb excess water. The home designs and materials are meant to inspire architecture all around the country. As far as the 150 homes committed to so far, with our help that number can grow. You can pick your specific donation item, i.e. faucets, lighting, paint, linoleum, etc…or any dollar amount is certainly welcome.
I am planning my next trip to NOLA, and will definitely stop to admire the 9th ward, and until then I will help Make it Right.
Make It Right Foundation
The Mission of Make It Right is clear: it is to be a catalyst for redevelopment of the Lower 9th Ward, by building a neighborhood comprised of safe and healthy homes that are inspired by Cradle to Cradle thinking, with an emphasis on a high quality of design, while preserving the spirit of the community’s culture.
- Organization Type: Non-Profit
- Website: makeitright.org
- Founder(s): Brad Pitt
- Founded: 2007
- Location:New Orleans, LA
- See complete company list here
Source: makeitright.org;
Contributor Profile: Justine
Justine is passionate about curing social injustice and global environmental issues. She has traveled extensively in Central America and the Caribbean, and is especially interested in the emergence of the Ecotourism industry.
Twitter: @justine72
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