Mariangela Piccione received an Honourable Mention for her project "Core House - A Proposition for New Orleans", in the Concepts/Proposal category of the OAA 2009 Design Awards.

About the Project

New Orleans, a city devastated from hurricane Katrina, is still, three years later, in the midst of rebuilding. It is a fact of life: hurricanes are damaging and rebuilding in some capacity will occur every season. But how does one live safely and yet still be able to participate in city life? If “porch” culture is of utmost importance, how does a house both protect and invite? 

Core house springboards from the practical guidelines of flood protection applied as a potential housing solution for flood prone areas. 

It is a typology. It is designed with flexibility in mind. In using the “FEMA” guidelines as a cue for what can be (spatially) insured or permanent, this proposition contains all of the essential elements for living – w/c, rainwater cistern, freshwater and food storage, along with all the mechanical, electrical and solar storage – in a literal core that is the only truly permanent element of the house. The remainder is built onto, or off of, this core.

The main living areas of the house are designed such that they can be completely opened up to the exterior or shuttered in during hurricane season.  The interior space is expanded when opened employing a screening system that is offset from the exterior walls.  This screening system also acts as structural ties for roof. 

Please click here for the fulll list of award winners.