Jonathan Rose Companies > Projects

Louisiana Speaks

Southern Louisiana

Louisiana - Flooded Homes

Louisiana Speaks is a multifaceted planning process to develop a sustainable, long-term vision for South Louisiana in the wake of the destruction caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This work combines the efforts of local, state and federal partners along with many experts, stakeholders and citizens into a comprehensive approach. The Louisiana Speaks process includes:

Planning for individual homeowners and businesses through the development of a toolkit for green and affordable residential and commercial architecture;
Planning for neighborhoods and parishes through local design charrettes, supported by Long-Term Community Recovery Teams; and
Long-term, 25-year southern Louisiana regional planning.

Jonathan Rose Companies developed green design guidelines for two public documents that were distributed to homeowners, builders, residential manufacturers, lenders, and communities: a Pattern Book and a Planning Toolkit. In response to the unique and diverse architectural vernacular of southern Louisiana, the user-friendly green guidelines focus on traditional architectural details that are climatically responsive and energy efficient. Jonathan Rose Companies, in collaboration with the Enterprise Community Partners of the Enterprise Foundation, also incorporated affordable housing finance programs and mechanisms into the planning process and the toolkit.

Firm Role
Planners

Project Description
Green design guidelines and affordable housing finance mechanisms for the rebuilding of southern Louisiana after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005

Collaborators
• Louisiana Recovery Authority Fund
• Center for Planning Excellence
• Urban Design Associates
• Enterprise Community Partners

Status
Completed in 2006