Touring the Holy Cross Project (GREEN.O.L.A.)

Posted August 21st, 2007 at 11:08 am by Matt Petersen, President and CEO, Global Green

 7 Comments / Filed in: Guest Opinions, Trends & News, Yahoo! For Good

Almost immediately after watching the devastation and horror of Hurricane Katrina, and later Rita, unfold in New Orleans on August 29, 2005, I began to ask myself, what could we do? These events were in part made worse by human action and inaction — the neglect of the levees, lack of political leadership and will, poverty, and much more. Global warming had also caused the sea levels to rise, making storm surge worse, and increasing sea temperature likely fueled the intensity of the storm. The lumbering response from our government was unacceptable. Global Green could not help but respond to the plight of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast — arguably the first major city in the U.S. affected by climate change.

Today, Brad Pitt and I hosted a “board cutting” ceremony in the Holy Cross neighborhood of the Lower 9th Ward to launch what we hope will become the future of green affordable housing and a cornerstone of New Orleans’ rebuilding efforts. Global Green sponsored an international design competition last summer, with more than 125 firms competing to design a zero-energy affordable housing development. This morning, we offered the first hard-hat tour of the Holy Cross Project site, showcasing the winning design, which was created by Matthew Berman and Andrew Kotchen of Workshop/APD.

Thanks to our friends at Yahoo! Green, you can take a virtual tour of this home, which is being built with green products and energy efficient systems and whose solar panels will generate enough electricity to power the home. You’ll find information about dozens of green products and systems, which fall into the categories of water conservation, energy conservation, natural resource conservation, indoor air quality, and durability. You’ll learn about innovative materials such as eco-friendly termite- and mold-resistant wood, soy-based foam insulation, and wheat boards.

The principles we are applying are simple at their core: if only 50,000 homes in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast were rebuilt according to even 40% of the energy and resource standards used in this home, the residents would save up to $56 million in electricity costs and reduce global warming pollution by 550,000 tons each year.

Global Green’s work has always included a focus on communities and addressing those in need. From our work on green schools to green affordable housing, it’s about revitalizing communities from the inside out, while addressing poverty. It is immensely rewarding to be bringing together and mobilizing such a dedicated team of people — from Brad Pitt; our lead funding partner, The Home Depot Foundation (with whom we’ve worked on green affordable housing for several years); Yahoo!; our designers, architects, and developers; and the Holy Cross community — all believing that imbedded in this project is real hope and the opportunity to make New Orleans the first true green city.

Matt Petersen
President and CEO, Global Green

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7 Comments Add your own

Adam Hirsch | August 21st, 2007 at 11:59 am

Great Project, FYI, the “Global Green” link doesn’t lead to the right URL.

Nicki Dugan | August 21st, 2007 at 12:57 pm

Our bad. Tis fixed now. Thanks for the assist!

Preston | August 21st, 2007 at 11:06 pm

Excellent information and post! Thanks a ton, this house is incredible.

Kate | August 22nd, 2007 at 4:04 pm

This is great to see and great information! Kudos to Brad Pitt for supporting a US need, especially those affected by Katrina.

carol hall | August 22nd, 2007 at 4:46 pm

I saw the NBC story and reacted emotionally; the Holy Cross area was home to 2 aunts [2 blocks from the levee] – this is my old hometown. Kudos to Brad and everyone! Can’t wait to go back and see some progress.

Howard Huntsberry | August 22nd, 2007 at 7:01 pm

I own a home in New Orleans East that was devastated by hurricane Katrina. My home was under six feet of water for twelve days. My wife and I and our seven adopted kids and our grandchild got out the day before the hurricane hit. Our home was a total loss. Our home was insured. The insurance company paid off the mortgage but there was nothing left to repair the home. We signed up for The Road Home Project and they wanted to award us with a little over fifty thousand dollars to repair a home that the estimated damage is over one hundred fifty thousand dollars. could someone tell me how i can get help to repair my home so my kids can live in their own home.

Dog | September 4th, 2007 at 8:01 am

This is a great project! Hope everyone on this planet could pay more attention to the issues of global warming.