Chapter 338: Press Blitz, Part 3
(Thanks to Christine for the picture of DP in the limelight)
So I talked to Danielle Thomas, the reporter that covered the press conference and wrote a nice little article (also, check out the video link from the last post) and we started talking about the GCCDS. Long story short, she went over to Biloxi, interviewed David and kept the media blitz going which is great. Although they have some of the facts mixed up, we get to see a lot of my fellow Minnesotan and WoA member Sarah Naughton!
Check it out and be sure to click the video link on that page to see Sarah and the Studio in action:
Architects Offer Free Design Work To Families Rebuilding
BILOXI (WLOX) -- They started out designing public projects. Now, however, architects at the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio are helping people rebuild their homes after Katrina. The director says since the studio is funded by grants, there's no charge to families.
Sarah Naughton is an architect who spends a lot of time at construction sites. She says a house sketched on paper doesn't always translate perfectly to real life.
"Designing a house - there are so many factors that go into it," said Naughton. "Sometimes you miss something and have to come to the site and work it out with the contractor and the builder."
Naughton is one of a dozen architects at Gulf Coast Community Design Studio. The studio partners with the East Biloxi Coordination Center. Case workers help families find the money to rebuild, then architects meet with the families to design a floor plan.
Director David Perkes said, "We're really committed to helping families make a good transition back into a house. These are people that didn't necessarily plan on building a new house. Not only are we helping people get a good plan, but we're also making sure we spend enough time with the families that they feel like this is sort of their house. That it's not just plan A, B, or C."
Naughton says elevation, accessibility, lot size and budget are all important factors in designing a house. But the most important factor is creating something the family will love.
"It's their house," said Naughton. "I want them to feel comfortable and tell me what they want in their house. It's my privilege to do that for people. I was lucky enough to be able to go to school and learn how to do this, so I like to share my knowledge with other people and help people out that can't get it in other places. "
Since the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio is affiliated with Mississippi State University, college students also work there for class credits. Travis Altsman is among them.
"I'm from Diamondhead. A lot of people I know lost their houses and everything, and I felt like I needed to come down, work with the community. And it's just really great to help the people that I grew up with."
The studio recently opened a second office in Hancock County.