This a letter to Brad Pitt that I wrote as a "what if" if I could talk to him about his plans to help re-develop some of the damage Katrina did to the treasure that is New Orleans, if money was not an issue. The funny thing about this is that money would not be that much of an issue. With the economy of scale and good green owner builder activities, these EcoQuads could be very inexpensive projects.

Hey Brad,

    I know that you, like myself lean towards the green side of things, and want to help revitalize the damaged communities in New Orleans. I’ve got a few ideas for your developments down in the 9th ward. Let me introduce you to EcoQuadplexes; small scale intentional communities, developed as an investment in people and the future.

    Imagine a four unit dwelling comprised of two studio apartments, a two bed, one and one-half bath unit and a three bedroom, two-bath unit. All wrapped around a courtyard with a communal kitchen and dinning area. Backed or fronted by a shared high-density garden, and workshop.

    Building techniques using structural steel, straw bale infill, and sips roofing allow for quick structure set up by a small crew, and low training, hands on owner building for the majority of the build. This makes the development a training and local employment opportunity. In some instances future tenants or even future owners will be able to take part in the actual building. The personal emotional link that this can instill will make for great neighbors and community-bonded people.

    Each EcoQuadplex will need to have its own decision-making rules. Some will be almost communes in the style of the late sixties, others will be much more like standard rental apartments, and some will probably be used for large extended families. One scenario that I see is a family with a two or three kids in the three bedroom unit, two younger people in the two bed two bath, and either retirees, singles, or an up and coming couple in the studio. This spread of lifestyles makes for a wide human experience for all involved. One goal is to offset as many day-to-day costs as possible. Solar thermal in floor heating and water pre-heating, passive solar, and photo-voltaic will blend with living roofs help to insulate and control water runoff, and even though each unit will have a kitchen or kitchenette large scale outdoor kitchens under extended roofs (straw bale works best with this anyway) and areas for eating together or apart will be available.

    Some of these EcoQuads will have the room to grow much of their own food at least veggies. Some will have workshop space for “cottage industry” some will have both and some will probably choose to buy and share things like plug in hybrid or electric cars. Each group will need to choose the way they live, but these buildings filled with green and healthy items, utilizing the economy of scale and mixed lifestyles in a small community could grow to be the way of the future.

    Your seed money and face value could help to get this idea up and running. Coming from a thought much like that of Habitat For Humanity, EcoQuads lend themselves to people that want to work on building their own living habitat. Groups of investor/owners could be organized by the outlook that they have about running a small intentional community. In other EcoQuad projects, an LLC can be set up as an investment vehicle for investors or investor groups to fund these projects. Basic structure systems could be developed with easy to change interior walls with different layouts for different groups or investors.

    Many great green touches can be brought into these EcoQuads; from low flow fixtures and lime wash finishes (with honest ZERO VOC’s) to things like living machines; water treatment plants using neighborhood level grey water for local parks. Maybe neighborhoods of these EcoQuads could have their own business districts with permanent “farmers market” spaces, shops and services. These homes would be built to last; even if the straw is eventually damaged by water (the biggest threat to straw bail building) the steel structure is long lasting and recyclable. Internal walls should be changeable with little work, as times change, the uses for these buildings can change with them.

    Tell me what you think, And Thanks for tackling such a necessary and worthy cause.