Thesis Highlights
URBANbuild 17
In the seventeenth year of the URBANbuild studio, students will further develop and fabricate a dwelling to be sited in the Central City Neighborhood of New Orleans. Last year, as the fabrication of URBANbuild16 was underway, a relationship was established with members of the neighboring Bethlehem Lutheran Church – the oldest historically black Evangelical Lutheran Church in the continental
United States. The size of the congregation has waned since hurricane Katrina, but the current pastor, Ben Groth, is working to increase membership and has spearheaded a very successful community outreach initiative known as Community Table. In addition, Pastor Groth has recently defended his Graduate Thesis at Tulane’s Department of History, and that research focused on the relationship between
white supremacy and Christianity.
Therefore, in addition to URBANbuild’s focus on the topic of housing, his involvement with this studio and the resulting conversations will aim to broaden each students’ awareness of community needs through their direct engagement on site and with the outreach programs of Bethlehem. Debate continues with regard to what should be done with the many historically marginalized areas of largely low-income underprivileged communities of this city. During the fall semester, Master planning options were proposed for Bethlehem’s
primary church site, and several housing strategies were developed for another property of theirs just across the street at 1822 Washington Avenue. One was selected, and built during the spring semester.
WORK
