After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward in 2005, Brad Pitt set up the Make It Right Foundation to aid in the rebuilding efforts. The non-profit charity, promoting energy efficient technology and high quality architecture, promised LEED Platinum-certified structures designed by star architects—like the homes designed by Frank Gehry—to help house families in one of the city's hardest hit areas.
Thirteen years since the hurricane's passing, the foundation has struggled to deliver on its pledge and is now facing a potential lawsuit over the conditions of the now falling apart homes. Reports from residents include roofs caving in, wood rotting, and walls collapsing, as well as claims of severe headaches and other health problems caused by electrical and plumbing issues.
"Essentially, Make It Right was making a lot of promises to come back and fix the homes that they initially sold these people and have failed to do so. We have some people who have gotten sick, or we believe to be sick." attorney Ron Austin, who is planning to bring a lawsuit on the behalf of his clients against Pitt’s foundation, told local station WWL-TV.
24 Comments
we all know "this is passing the buck" so to speak. he's just a figure head that dazzles and an easy target. Building something, anything is everyone's responsibility and wouldn't happen if everyone did their due dilignence and then some....
lawyers on this are the only ones gaining from this...
JanM ( losing faith in humanity/kindness)
What could possibly go wrong with these thoughtfully detailed designs, built with no expense spared?
Make It Rong?
It just makes your heart sing, doesn't it?
LOLOL
The Blues, maybe...
Is this serious? Can't be...
Not associated with Brad Pitt or Starchitects in any way. You can buy the plans and the building kit at Lowes. The horror!
Yeah, and in New Orleans, the lack of gutters means you'll get drenched by the waterfall over your entrance stairs! Just because a star architects building fails doesn't mean a bad design from Lowe's is any better. Sorry to singe your straw man.
How many modern houses have you seen where there is no protection at all from the elements at the front door? (Including one in the above thread comments) Here is a house with a generous porch, a ceiling fan, and a standing seam metal roof. It would take maybe a day for the average handyman to add gutters if needed.
You're the only one defending any of the buildings in this news article's comment sections, my dude.
I have no clue as to what you are talking about. I just posted a photo of a Katrina Cottage by Marianne Cusato many versions of which have been warmly welcomed by residents of the 9th ward and which are not falling apart.
Thumbs-up on the Lowe's cottage, compared to the embarrassment illustrated in the photo preceding it. Perfect? No. Way better? Yes. (Seriously, does that even need saying?)
The Katrina Cottage works because it taps into the accumulated wisdom of local traditions, built up over generations, rather that imagining its better to start from a tabula rasa.
@Eric Evans Sounds like a good argument for signing a design/ build contract with a general contractor and forgoing the services of an architect altogether.
Where is Kanye when you need him?
apparently "dressing" the stars at a porn website awards ceremony.
Why such low standards. We expect better. Brad, call me. I can help.
If Donna reads that there's going to be a cat fight.
Brad, if you read this, call Donna. She can help!
so Neri is old history now?
The Make It Right Foundation has now filed suit against the local architect of record on these things.
https://www.theadvocate.com/ne...
Two thoughts:
The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Anything involving a celebrity is the kiss of death.
I'm sure the Bradster's new squeeze at Princeton can solve all these nasty 'water intrusion' (leaks?) and black mold issues.
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