Compliments for the AIA Podcast, thoughts on the Ninth Ward

I am an avid podcast listener (anytime the topic comes up, or rather, when I bring it up, I recommend All in the Mind, Science Friday, and Musecast, among others). It is a joke among my friends how often I will bring up my 'exciting new discoveries' from podcasts. My most recent discovery is this: AIA Podcasts, and I am extremely impressed by the series (available for free download on iTunes or at AIA PodNet). I have thus fas listened to eleven in the span of six days. They are my new favorite commuting companion for my daily (and lengthy) Chicago "El" time. I regard podcasts as something that make my commute "worthwhile" because I am learning and thinking critically and listening to (usually) extremely intelligent people discuss and dissect topics of interest. They are a wellspring of knowledge and stimulating ideas.

The AIA podcasts have been particularly interesting since I am now seriously considering going into a career in architecture; but I digress.

I would particularly recommend the episode called Green Homebuilding by Design, featuring Peter L. Pfeiffer, FAIA, LEED AP, NCARB. Pfeiffer's comments are remarkably insightful and clear. His strong criticism of architect's proposals for Brad Pitt's MIR Project in the New Orleans Ninth Ward was a genuine reaction to an important issue. I do not know if I fully share the same sentiments as Pheiffer, but I can say that his tongue-in-cheek remark "what are we gonna do, gentrify the Ninth Ward?" is critically important as a specific and also a broader question.

Sustainability is sometimes perceived as achievable and other times irreconcilable to our current lifestyles. In architecture and design, professionals must consider the (potential) buyer or client and approach every project as unique. In a project like MIR, I wonder if the point that Pfeiffer is speaking to is an arguably gray area. Since Brad Pitt's name is on the project, I would imagine the inherent publicity could attract buyers looking for more upscale homes. However, I hope that the aim of meeting basic needs and having affordable housing for the original inhabitants of the still-rebuilding city is the foremost concern. I want to be clear that I do not know how these homes are being funded or who they are being sold to, I am merely speculating and reflecting based on Pfeiffer's commentary and what I could garner from the MIR site; if anyone wants to correct me or give me more information I would be interested to learn more about the project.

Here are some images from MIR's site:

Above image by Concordia


Above image by Billes


Above image by MVRDV

I would like to offer my praises for the AIA podcast with one point of criticism: the AIA PodNet website is not the easiest to browse. It would, in my opinion as a site visitor, be a more accessible series if first the transcripts were offered and second if the episodes could be viewed chronologically rather than divided into four categories (design, leadership, practice, and building performance). Regardless, I applaud the AIA for having such a fascinating spectrum of interviewees and topics, M.J. Crosbie for being an impressive interviewer, and the AIA for extending this information to the public in the exceptionally accessible arena of podcasts. It is important for architecture to be accessible. It is, afterall, 'the unavoidable art.'

UPDATE/ADDENDUM: I recently read that there the MIR project is "funding 150 affordable and sustainable homes in an area leveled by Katrina". This info and more can be seen in this PDF: http://www.cherokeefund.com/pdfs/MIR%20Cherokee%20Press%20Release.pdf