People who are homeless are not social inadequates. They are people without homes ~ Sheila McKechnie

“Playground”, originally uploaded by The Voice of Eye

For those without a roof above their heads, the power of architecture holds less significance than the idea of basic shelter. Recognizing this truth, the 2010 Natural Design Competition, in partnership with Salvation Army’s EnviRenew Initiative, will focus its sights on the rebuilding effort in New Orleans, Louisiana. Competitors will be divided into students and young professionals groups with the challenge of designing design a LEED® project that is priced affordably and is functional for elderly occupants. Finalists will actually get to see their projects built in New Orleans’ Broadmoor neighborhood. Once the homes are built, they will be graded on energy efficiency, water reuse, and indoor air quality among other categories. The design team whose home performs best will be awarded the grand prize. But in this competition, everybody (students, occupants, and environmentalists) wins.