The House Project
Last winter, the children at Center AM were extremely interested in houses. They started by using metal ladders on a red playhouse, then talked about fixing and rebuilding the toy. Some children were also seeing construction in their own community. The House project seemed so relevant to them. It’s amazing how much they learned. After all, they were self-initiated learners who were creating something important and meaningful. In the end, the children were proud of the final product.
This multi-year national design project is a unique opportunity to investigate contemporary housing issues and building research. Architect David Baker and designer Jessica Varner have collaborated to create an environmentally conscious community. The project is a self-built community designed to answer questions about how to build a home in a time of crisis and what materials and technologies we need in a broken industrial production system. In the aftermath of recent natural disasters and climate change, HOME House addresses questions about the future of our planet, our homes, and the way we live.
The National House Project has developed a model of housing support for young adults who have had care experiences. The project aims to reduce the number of young people who have had to go through residential care. It also aims to improve social inclusion through the use of peer-support. This approach helps young people build a stronger sense of belonging, which in turn builds aspiration. The House Project model encourages young people to take responsibility for their own lives and work toward achieving goals.
The Alex House Project was founded by two black women who wanted to provide affordable housing for low-income parents. The founders, Samora Coles and Kaleshia Sostre, wanted to help young parents like them succeed in life. They wanted to provide a stable home for their children, but did not know how to go about it. After searching for support, Kaleshia Sostre found the Alex House Project. This organization, which is aimed at supporting young parents of color, was the answer to her prayers.
The Black House Project is an independent study in which five Columbia MFA writing students will lead writing sessions at a transitional housing program in Baltimore. The residents of Marian House come from substance abuse treatment programs, incarceration, and homelessness. Students will be required to complete at least one of the three writing sessions each semester, accompanied by nonfiction professor Leslie Jamison. They will then lead the other three sessions. The students will take the first writing session, which will be followed by the two students and the nonfiction professor.
The Second House Project is another example. It is another public housing initiative in Brooklyn. The project has a goal of encouraging wooden enthusiasts to upgrade their housing by making renovations within a small budget. Its founder, Charles Von Urban, a former construction worker, began it in 1969. The community has grown since then and now includes 122 apartments spread over 8 five or four-story buildings. In the East Village, it is known as Alphabet City.
