design, build, learn. repeat.

The Trace, an Introduction

What has been your biggest project over the past month and a half, you ask? Why, I’ll tell you! It’s “The Trace”, a 28-house subdivision that Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast (HFHMGC) is developing in Long Beach, Mississippi. This is the first collaboration of this kind between the GCCDS and HFHMGC, and it’s been productive for both sides. Their goal is to develop a high-quality neighborhood that’s not bland and has more appeal than a “typical” Habitat development, and we’re providing them with some architectural and planning assistance. We have some great progress so far. Eleven different …

Read more

Election Day

The “Obamamobile” came by the office today, driven by our friend Laura. I’m excited, no doubt. I’ve been following the election more closely than is probably healthy; I voted several weeks ago, and now we get to see how it turns out. A quick plug: my favorite source for election-related statistical geekery is FiveThirtyEight.com. They’re fairly new to the political scene, but I’ve been impressed by their thoughtful, analytical approach to polling results, their compelling ways of presenting information, and the willingness to go the thousands of extra miles to bring things like road trip updates and state-by-state analysis. Check …

Read more

Happy Halloween, Part 2

It is Halloween, and I have gone with what came most naturally: the snobby Frenchman. Note among other things the conspicuous placement of Sartre. Perhaps inevitably, I ran into an actual French couple. They seemed to enjoy it.

Read more

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is here. So soon! Just a few days ago, it was 80 degrees and sunny. Today it is… well, it is 73 degrees and sunny, but I promise, we had a few pretty chilly days there. As usual, I haven’t prepared a costume, but something may develop later on. Meanwhile, Nadene, Sarah, and Kristen have masterfully carried off their cunning plan: The Jason Pressgrove costume! Jason no longer works here, but he was a mainstay of the studio since its beginning. And look, there’s one of his houses on the cover of Architectural Record! The real Jason:

Read more

Hung’s Dedication

On October 9, Project Rehab finally dedicated the house they have been building for Hung and his family on Crawford Street. Hung, his wife, and their three young children are very excited to be moving in. The best thing about it is seeing the work Hung has been doing in the few short weeks since he has moved in. He’s added gates at the stairs, created a brick patio and storage area below the house, built shelving for plants on the porch, and added a shed roof over part of the back roof. Sadly for me, I’ve never been happy …

Read more

GCCDS in ArchRecord!

The Gulf Coast Community Design Studio has a feature article in the October issue of Architectural Record! It even has a photo with the back of my head! Biloxi Clues: The Gulf Coast Community Design Studio provides a model for rebuilding after Katrina October 2008 By James S. Russell Full article Almost three years after Hurricane Katrina pushed a 30-foot-high surge of water through East Biloxi, Mississippi, tall weeds grow along streets once lined with houses. Biloxi’s casinos have been reconstructed, larger than their former selves. Many residents have returned to neighborhoods that missed the worst of the flooding. But …

Read more

Notes from the ServiceNation Panel

[Originally posted on http://handsongulfcoast.blogspot.com/]. Last Saturday’s panel discussion focused on the past, present and future of the volunteer movement in Biloxi and along the Gulf Coast. I took some notes which I’d like to share. Most quotes are paraphrased. First, let’s introduce our panel: Dorothy Noorbaar, Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast / AmeriCorps VISTA Nelson Walker, Hands On Gulf Coast / North Gulfport Community Land Trust Craig Snow, Project Coordinator, Hope Force International Juanita Gaines, Moore Community House Johnis Ross, Hope Coordination Center Moderator: Caitlin Brooking, Director of Programs, Hands On Gulf Coast Why do you volunteer? …

Read more

$700 billion

Wow. “It’s not based on any particular data point,” a Treasury spokeswoman told Forbes.com Tuesday. “We just wanted to choose a really large number.”

Read more

WLOX reports on Hands On

WLOX reports today on Hands On Gulf Coast’s transition to local non-profit status. And it’s a first look at our new executive director, Lillian Jenkins! Video (should open a pop-up window).

Read more

Hands On Gulf Coast to hold panel discussion

Fun with press releases! Make sure to get out and do some community service this Saturday for the National Day of Action. Hands On Gulf Coast to hold panel discussion The panel and discussion also will help identify the needs and opportunities for volunteer service. The event is part of a National Day of Action organized by ServiceNation, a national grass-roots movement advocating volunteerism and community service. A “Volunteers in Long-Term Recovery” panel and roundtable discussion will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Hands On Gulf Coast, 2113 Pass Road, behind the Beauvoir United Methodist Church. …

Read more

Author Archives

vince