Make It Right

Make It Right

Make It Right was a nonprofit organization established in 2007 to rebuild housing in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Founded by Brad Pitt with involvement from figures in architecture, design, and philanthropy such as William McDonough, Frank Gehry, Thom Mayne, and Shigeru Ban, the organization commissioned high-profile architects and collaborated with organizations including New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity and the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio. The initiative sought to combine sustainable design, modern architecture, and community redevelopment in a neighborhood devastated by the 2005 storm and subsequent flooding.

Background and Founding

The project originated amid post-Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts when Brad Pitt announced a campaign to rebuild homes in the Lower Ninth Ward, working with philanthropic partners like Angelina Jolie (reported support), regional actors including Ray Nagin-era municipal leaders, and advocacy groups such as Make It Right Foundation collaborators. Early supporters included nonprofit networks like Habitat for Humanity affiliates and funding sources linked to celebrity philanthropy trends led by figures like Oprah Winfrey and foundations modeled after the Clinton Foundation approach. The initiative aimed to address displacement issues raised during national debates involving stakeholders such as FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency policy critics, and academic commentators from institutions like Tulane University and Louisiana State University.

Design, Construction, and Materials

The organization engaged renowned architects from practices including SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill), Gehry Partners, Morphosis Architects, and firms associated with William McDonough and Shigeru Ban. Design goals emphasized sustainability influenced by concepts from LEED advocates and green building proponents like Green Building Council–affiliated professionals. Homes incorporated features promoted by advocates such as James K. Galbraith-style community economists and technical guidance used by Oak Ridge National Laboratory-sponsored research on resilient materials. Construction partners included regional contractors, modular manufacturers similar to those used in projects by Katerra and prefabrication specialists employed in rebuilding efforts after 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and other disaster responses. Materials selected—initially touted as low-VOC, composite, and imported timber—were later scrutinized; sources ranged from suppliers linked to international trade networks to domestic distributors common in post-disaster procurement.

Community Impact and Controversies

The homes delivered tangible benefits for some residents in the Lower Ninth Ward community, contributing to neighborhood repopulation efforts alongside initiatives by organizations such as Common Ground Relief and community groups tied to activists like Cletus "Father" Angelo-style leaders. However, controversies emerged over maintenance, construction defects, and health concerns that triggered comparisons to other high-profile redevelopment missteps in cities like Detroit and Houston following Hurricane Harvey. Media outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and ProPublica published reporting that amplified resident complaints and expert commentary from engineers connected to firms like AIA-affiliated practices and university labs at Princeton University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Local officials in New Orleans and elected figures such as members of the Louisiana State Legislature became involved in public hearings and community forums.

Legal Actions and Investigations

Allegations regarding defective materials, moisture intrusion, and structural failure precipitated civil lawsuits and regulatory reviews involving plaintiff attorneys experienced in mass torts and consumer protection cases similar to those argued before courts in New Orleans (city), Orleans Parish judicial venues, and federal proceedings. Investigations referenced standards from organizations such as ASTM International and building code interpretations influenced by International Code Council guidance. Settlements, demands for remediation, and litigation engaged law firms and consulting engineers with prior involvement in construction defect litigation in regions like California and Florida. Regulatory scrutiny included inquiries from agencies analogous to state building code enforcement offices and consumer protection bureaus.

Closure and Legacy

Operations wound down amid financial strains, mounting litigation costs, and critiques from residents and critics; the organization announced cessation of new projects and restructured obligations in the late 2010s. Legacy assessments cite both successes—architectural attention to disaster recovery, collaboration with designers associated with Pritzker Prize laureates—and failures, including lessons for future disaster philanthropy exemplified by reforms advocated by think tanks like Brookings Institution and disaster-resilience scholars at Columbia University. The episode has been used as a case study in program evaluation courses at universities such as Yale University and University of California, Berkeley and in policy discussions involving entities like FEMA and municipal recovery planning in post-disaster contexts.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Louisiana