Eight Inc. receives top award for the professional competition "High Density on the High Ground." McGraw-Hill Companies' Architectural Record magazine and the Tulane University School of Architecture sponsored the competition to serve as a catalyst to reassess, re-envision and redesign New Orleans' housing needs following the devastation brought by hurricane Katrina.
The Eight Inc. design for a sustainable high-density 160-unit housing community on a high-ground site by the Mississippi River took into consideration the architectural vernacular, geography, culture, heritage and infrastructure of New Orleans. Tim Kobe, founding principal, shared the Eight Inc. approach "We felt a strong responsibility in helping craft the reconstruction of New Orleans by tapping into the vibrancy of the culture. We want to rekindle the unique and diverse spirit of the city and inspire re-growth in a culturally and environmentally sustainable way."
The Eight Inc. team has particular interest and passion in the rebuilding of the city following Hurricane Katrina given that five team members are former residents of New Orleans and alumni of the Tulane University School of Architecture.
The 12-story building is a framework housing commercial or residential units that are pre-assembled and inserted to generate a variety and textural complexity that is consistent with the "placed" quality of the residential building types of the Bywater neighborhood and throughout the city of New Orleans.
The winners were selected from over 600 architects and students worldwide. Currently on exhibit at The Ogden Museum in New Orleans, the winning entry will travel to the June AIA convention in Los Angeles and on to the Venice Architectural Biennale in September 2006.
About Eight Inc.
Founded in 1989, Eight Inc. is a cross-disciplinary design consultancy specializing in architecture, interiors, exhibitions and product design. With offices in New York, San Francisco and Honolulu. Eight provides comprehensive and innovative solutions to the unique design needs of each project. With international design awards and clients that include Apple, Coach and Nokia, Eight Inc. is recognized internationally as an innovator in architecture and design.
Eight Inc.: https://www.dexigner.com/directory/detail/7895
About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 290 offices in 38 countries. Sales in 2005 were $6.0 billion.
Eight Inc. Design team
Tim Kobe, Principal, Doo Ho Lee, Studio Director NY, BJ Siegel, Studio Director SF with Ryoji Karube, Jeff Straesser, Jie Siang Yong, David Herman, Nathan Nagai.