Brad Pitt "High" From New Orleans Project

Actor Brad Pitt fell in love with New Orleans in the early 1990's while filming Interview with the Vampire. "New Orleans has its own mind...its own thing. It has a real spirit. It's the most authentic of all American cities." In its January '09 issue, Architectural Digest catches up with Pitt when he returns to welcome Katrina victim Gloria Guy back to her new home built by the actor's Make It Right Foundation.

A year after the New Orleans storm, Pitt was horrified at the lack of progress in repairing the damage it wreaked, especially in the devastated African-American populated Lower Ninth Ward. "I couldn't believe nothing was going on. I recalled the pictures of people on roofs, begging for help and I couldn't believe that this was our America."

Determined to put his dual passions for architecture and environmentally-sound development to work, he and several partners started the Make It Right Foundation, whose aim is to build 150 homes for residents of the lower Ninth Ward - one of the hardest hit during the '05 hurricane. He invited architects from around the globe to New Orleans to submit sustainable - and affordable housing solutions. Pitt convened a meeting with the architects, residents and community leaders to establish guidelines for rebuilding the neighborhood. "I never had any idea that so many people would show up for this. The model works and it's replicable."

Although many thought the Lower Ninth Ward should be abandoned because its land was below sea level, Pitt argued that other wards - some populated by white and middle class were on lower ground and nobody suggested abandonment there. "It seems to me that this is about fairness. We may have been designed equal, but we certainly weren't born equal. I feel great happiness whenever we level the playing field."

Six of the originally-planned 150 homes have already been built through the Foundation. Looking to the future, Pitt believes Make It Right is a model for projects around the world. "We've cracked something here...these houses redefine affordable housing...this is a proving ground for a bigger idea that could work globally. This project is not mine anymore. It's so beyond me."

But the day AD talked to Pitt, the day he helped Gloria Guy and her family move back in, crystallized why he put his passions and his celebrity behind the Foundation he created. "You have no idea," he says, "what a high it is for me to see the delight on people's faces when they see how these homes work."

Comments

[irishchannel]

New Orleans residents are appreciative of any help they get. We don't care about what this man does for a living and his personal life is his business. Southerners are brought up to respect other people's privacy and not to impede on it.
Should the 9th ward be rebuilt ? There are earth quakes in populated areas, tornadoes, hurricanes, sunamis - disaster can strike anytime, anywhere. I thank all the volunteers. As to the couch potato critics:
get some manners and get a life.

[marynotcontrary]

Pitt is trapped.
Like a rat.
You can see it in his eyes.
There is NO graceful way to leave the nightmare that he is in.
When he finally does go, it will be the blow out war to end all wars.
Jen is still hot.
It is only a matter of time till finds her knight.
Pitt?
Trapped like a rat...

[missjabez]

Although I have never been a Brad Pitt fan--even before he got mixed up with Angelina Jolie--I will say I respect what he's doing for the people of New Orleans. He seems very sincere and engaged in this project, so I'm not questioning his motives.

[marlainWA]

I honor anyone no matter who they are that are trying to help the people of New Orleans put their life back together.

My brother n law left his home for 3 months when it happened and joined the red cross helping people. They have 3 kids and it was hard on my sister n law but it was well worth the time.

[sonicmoon]

I think the socalled 'haters' are simply expressing a distaste and acknowledgement of the hypocrisy that most of hollywood exhibits when it comes to environmental issues and social or economic equality. Putting on self-congratulatory events and using transportation with a larger carbon footprint than most neighborhoods and equaling that of some companies while preaching that everyone else should be reducing their footprints reeks of insincerity. Spending millions to glorify themselves and pat each other on the back is no different from the greedy CEO's of the corporate world with their exclusive retreats and use of golden parachutes.
Those who gush at every celebrity who launches a humanitarian or environmental project seem to be more caught up in the broader problem of our society - icon worship of those who the 'industry' has coronated as royal through print, film, tv, or music. Of course, the widely used excuse by those who report and publish say this news is what people want to read and hear.
Brad Pitt deserves praise for the humanitarian work he is doing and questioning his motives isn't constructive. He would do well to commend the work by other organizations serving the same purpose and goal as his own.
The real point is that there are other organizations and people who are tirelessly doing similar work and get no recognition, praise, or fawning from the media. Recognizing all of these people and organizations who give, volunteer, and work for greater good promotes a more complete edification.

[happycat]

Thank you!

[nateturnersrevenge]

thanks for the comment. gawd the sarcastic remarks are mind boggling. I have relatives who used to live in N.O., now in Houston, and anyone who's willing to give a helping hand, who can side step the inept administration of Nagin, is greatly appreciated. projects like this give them hope that one day they can return home.

[sonicmoon]

like i said.. anyone and any organization who is helping in this matter deserves recognition, praise, and gratitude. seeing the devastation to lives and this historical city firsthand is definitely a horrific experience.

[want2trustagain]

It is apparent you did not see the devastation. I visited NO in 2007 and what had NOT been done for these people by our public servants ie government was totally unacceptable. I don't care if it's Brad Pitt or Mother and Father who help these people who have call NO home all their lives and just want to go back to the only home they have ever known good for him. How would you feel for our public servants to blow you off because of the color of you skin or the place you have called home all your life.

[sonicmoon]

it's apparent your comments are irrelevant to my post, and you didn't read or understand it.

[isadora]

Hype is part of the game. President Carter has been employing his name and status as an ex-Presdident and Nobel Peace Prize winner to advertise Habitat's efforts and attract varous kinds of support to that group's endeavors. I appreciate Brad Pitt, and also the unemtioned Harry Connick, Jr (who has done adversing for Lincoln and has collected his pay in Lincoln vehicles as well as successfully encouraging donations from from that company). I especially love the TV ad spots that show Musicians Village. I also saw, on a morning news program, Connick introducing a musician who was a new homeoner. The musician discussed his own sweat equity contributions of various construction work (likely learned from working 'day jobs' over time) and thanked great Habitat volunteers who had come to assist. Jimmy Carter attracts and motivates many as well as doing hands-on work.

Let's cheer these fine people--not find reasons to reach, criticize and jeer. I AM A FEMOCRAT! Let us all say a big THANK YOU to those involved. May there be many more. St. Francis says in his writings "It is in loving that we are loved." Amen.

[mnyobpres]

Who cares what Brad spends his money on, it's his MONEY...now, for the habitat building in New Orleans, well it's about time someone is doing something to make that area beautiful. It is unbelievable how it's been neglected for so long..... Can't wait until Jan 20th.

Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie - YOU ROCK!!

[Clavis]

So far, that's 6 more houses that Bush has built, unless you include Trent Lott's new mansion...

[jukesgrrl]

LOL!

[ThizIsSpartan]

Brad outhere helping the average Americans to have a home to live again....Yes, an American, not some aliens, terrorists, or illegal immigrants and all you haters sitting on your a$$ bashing him. WOW! is all I can say. Next time a tornado hit your home and you got no place to live, I wish no one would come to help yourand let's your a$$ freeze in the cold and starve to death.

[HeatherLeila]

I have mixed feelings about his project: http://heatherleila3.blogspot.com/2008/10/make-it-right-nola-in-lower-ninth-ward.html

[NoToGOP08]

The cost involved vs Habitat for Humanity cost issue should be viewed as it is an investment in the future. I comment Pitt for the strategic thinking here.

[Damaven]

Two different organizations, two different goals in type of building. And why not green? That's supposed to be what America is shooting for, why not start here. You have a better cheaper project and another place to start, go right ahead. Then we'll have 3 organizations doing good. Wish I could, but can't. Maybe one day but.....

[Bostongirl1]

Brad you are a man to be admired - so many sit on their a.ss and do nothing I appreciate your efforts and your heart.

I don't get why people condemn the good that Brad and AJ do just because their relationship began in pretty much the same way as almost every relationship begins in Hollywood.
Not many people give as much as they do money and time wise to help others and their are plenty with way more money then them. I don't think telling people what they do is just for publicity but more so to make others aware of how they can help.

so h.aters should closed their mouths and lend a hand.

[TommyJohn]

Brad, if you were not an actor, you wld be an asst. manager at a Walgreens.

[Bostongirl1]

if he worked at Walgreens near me I would go there every single day

[Clavis]

LOL me too.

[CindyKay]

Jealous Much ?

[SlippingInTheDip]

movie coming out at Xmas, so it's time to get back i the news. Only 6 in 2 years...WOW. The one thing I noticed..these homes weren't built fot the Handi-capped. Be kind of diffucult to roll your wheelchair or your crutches up those stairs.

[groucho]

I'm sure you have done so much that you can make these snide comments. He didn't have to do anything.
Bitter much?

[AuntieSam]

Having spent, the last 3 spring breaks doing clean-up & rebuilding in Louisiana & Mississippi, I feel qualified to point out that
A) the 9th Ward is BELOW SEA LEVEL. They build up so as to avoid flooding.
B) EVERYBODY along roughly a 250 mile swatch of coastline is trying to rebuild at once. It's difficult to get supplies, tools & qualified help.

It sounds like Mr. Pitt's organization is trying to do things the right way: have architects design for the specific situation, build one start to finish, and refine the design as needed.
Stop looking for the bad in everyone else.

[jukesgrrl]

Thanks for all you've done. It's admirable and your comments about what's going on in the rebuilding are valuable.

[MaggieDoe]

Wow, so 12/07 Brad started MakeItRightNOLA, and he had zero movies coming out and this year he celebrates the one year anniversary of the opening campaign and he has a movie coming out. He must be all powerful to pull off that kind of coup.

It hasn't been two years. Their initial announcement of the project was at CGI 10/07. They only broke ground in April '08 and immediately had to deal with toxics on the site they weren't aware of. There are a number of handicapped individuals in the homes, and their homes have ELEVATORS, you nimwit.

The homes are built to withstand high winds and HIGH WATER.

[ArmyCentrist]

Brad Pitt is an actor, his job is to act, not build homes for devastated neighborhoods in low income areas. Thank you Brad, for getting involved. You will always be a son of the Crescent City. All you haters, get a life, and stop criticizing when people do something nice. And stay outta the man's personal life, no one is perfect!

[derekc06]

brad pitt is a boss