Dr. Jessica April Ward, Prairie View A&M University School of Architecture
Innovation and Description: Alternative post-disaster housing – IDEA-CJR House 360
Architecture students at PVAMU designed a disaster recovery accessory dwelling unit for those most impacted by mega-storms in Houston, under the auspices of a Title III Department of Education grant, “Integrated Design for Environmental and Climate Justice Research”. One of the prototype homes is currently being constructed on campus as a demonstration of hurricane resilient construction techniques and renewable photovoltaic energy. Students volunteered with Houston Habitat during build days to construct the second prototype, an accessory dwelling unit for a family in the City of Houston.
Other Participants:
Habitat for Humanity Houston and PVAMU Architecture students: Covington Thompson, Brooke Meshack, Jaylin Lee, Christian Duncan, Anderson Yauripoma, Joe Livings, Russell Lewis, various other fourth-year design studio students
Primary Disaster Justice Benefits:
Modular, hurricane resilient construction with potential for passive survivability
Secondary Disaster Justice Benefits:
Accessory dwelling units can be quickly built on site, providing temporary housing solution for residents that doesn’t displace them from the property or out of the neighborhood, to a hotel or FEMA trailer
Would you recommend others (disaster survivors, disaster-impacted communities) learn more about the activity, project or program to consider adoption of a similar one?
What refinements additional to the ones you have implemented would you recommend others consider if they wish to adopt the activity, project or program?
Increase training in construction and grant management for minority owed construction companies to facilitate more minority owned construction companies can participate in implementing and building Federal and State recovery programs.