design, build, learn. repeat.

Structures for Inclusion 8

SFI 8: SYSTEMS FOR INCLUSION April 4-6, 2008 | Cambridge, MA Design Corps, in association with Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, announces the eighth offering of the annual Structures for Inclusion (SFI) conference series. Entitled “Systems for Inclusion,” SFI8 explores the interface of design and systemic social action: Can design(ers) challenge globally networked systems of exclusivity and inequality? What are the relationships between design and political power, economic and ecological sustainability, justice and community? Targeted at students and young professionals who want to move beyond a purely aesthetic discussion–who see landscape/architecture and urban planning/design as an integrative and interconnected …

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Patty’s Dedication in Pictures

I promised pictures, and here they are: The completed stair, in-progress handrail, finished floors and cabinets, and of course the dedication Friday. We — Jason, Brian, Brandon, Richard, Mike, and I, as well as some great volunteers — put in a focused effort to get as much done as possible. With the help of Hands On friends — Emily, Ian, and Brian — we worked Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to disassemble the upper stair, build the lower stair, and begin the railing. Additionally, an energetic group from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro shoveled and raked several tons of …

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Della on Elevated Housing

Della, our friend up at the University of Minnesota, has compiled some useful observations on elevated housing as part of her M. Arch thesis.

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Patty’s Dedication

What I said, more or less. Pictures to follow in a day or two. Hi everyone, I’m Vincent from the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio. My job today is to introduce you to Patty Broussard’s house and share just a few observations about the experience and meaning of building it. I’ve been working on this house since I started here in September, alongside Jason Pressgrove, who’s been working on it since the beginning of summer, and who has carried the project forward every step along the way. This house is remarkable in a number of ways; it’s set apart by …

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Designing for Hurricanes and Floods

A general overview of some of the things we do here in Biloxi to mitigate the risk of building houses in a hurricane-prone area. By no means a comprehensive guide. Elevation. The house’s finished floor should be above the expected flood elevation. The building codes here currently go by the city’s maps, but FEMA has issued new Base Flood Elevation maps which are typically higher than the city’s. So, if your property is 12 feet above sea level, and FEMA’s maps show a flood elevation on your property of 17 feet, you would need to elevate approximately 5 feet to …

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A (Typical?) Biloxi Week

Today (Monday) : Rode my new bike to work for the first time — very exciting. Then I spent all day trying to finish up a drawing set to take in for a building permit, although I didn’t make it. After a late Oak Street steering committee meeting, I went for a very fun first judo class in Ocean Springs with Will. Sunday: It being sunny and warm, we played Sunday football on the beach, the definite highlight of the day. Got lots of laundry done and sorted through most of my old receipts and bills and things. Also, luck …

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WLOX on the Oak Street Community Meeting

Rebuilding Infrastructure & Culture on Biloxi’s Oak Street February 27, 2008 by Elise Roberts, WLOX It was a meeting of the minds for some people who live in East Biloxi. Wednesday night people came together to give their feedback on plans to revitalize the Oak Street community. “We lost so much of the face of our community, and that’s something we cannot reclaim,” said Thao Vu with the Boat People SOS. Vu says after Hurricane Katrina, very few homes and businesses returned to the area. Instead, many relocated to D’Iberville and Ocean Springs. That’s why her organization, as well as …

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Custom Cabinets at Rosetti

Jason spent several days last week building some sweet kitchen cabinets over at Patti’s house. They’re very simple and elegant pine cabinets that we will probably stain to keep a natural color. (Below left) The kitchen sink is ready to be installed as soon as work on the tile countertop is finished. (Right) The space for the refrigerator. All of the flooring is in as well, but I don’t have any good pictures of that because there is cardboard laid down everywhere to protect it. The electrician and plumber will be coming in and the Mississippi State students are working …

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UVA Visit – the Epic Tale

It’s Monday, February 18th, and I’m finishing up at work when I get a message from my friend Chris. He has a challenge for me: be at UVA for the club swim meet that weekend. The time has come to return, and that time is Vince O’Clock. Reason takes over, but is subsequently defeated, and by Tuesday night I have bought my plane tickets. I’ll be flying to North Carolina, where Chris works, on Thursday night, then driving up for an epic three-day weekend in Charlottesville. Pictures and more after the break:

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