The proposed design seeks to remedy the issues of food, education, land forfeiture, and lack of community constructs elegantly, efficiently, and with as little government intervention as possible. Because of past policy and a general distrust for those who are given power, many people from the Lower Ninth Ward are weary of anything that the government decides to do in their neighborhood. The idea is to create a complex that provides building education as well as culinary skills, because these two skills are significant factors in creating community. The building is divided into two parts: utilitarian tasks focused spaces and community spaces. The utilitarian spaces focus the user on tasks associated with building and culinary arts. These spaces are demarcated by solid wall construction and are meant to be womb-like, allowing light from above while allowing occupants to focus on the task they are doing, whether it be milling lumber to make doors or chopping lettuce. The transparent, or between spaces, are places where community can gather. These spaces include a library, restaurant, and a gallery where students could show their construction work. These spaces provide a backdrop for people in the community as well as those interested in supporting the community to interact. Since there are so many vacant lots in the Lower Ninth Ward, the building program would incorporate these spaces to grow food as well as keep the displaced land owners from being fined for un-kept lawns. The building itself is also designed to sit above the flood level so that when the Lower Ninth Ward floods again, the people who live there will have a safe place to wait out the flooding.
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