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The Gulf Coast Community Design Studio, which is embedded in Biloxi, Mississippi, is a research arm of Mississippi State University's College of Architecture, Art + Design. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the GCCDS worked with members of the East Biloxi community on the ground, providing early damage assessment maps, then planning assistance, and eventually design services.  Coordinating closely with various organizations that provide funding, case management, and volunteer construction labor, GCCDS provides design assistance to individuals from low income households that need help to rebuild.  Since Katrina struck in August of 2005, over 80 homes in East Biloxi alone (both rehabilitations and new construction) have been completed through the work of the GCCDS.

The projects are designed through close relationships with the residents, and the work is very much about preserving the dignity of individuals faced with unimaginable hardships. 

GCCDS's work now encompasses larger scale projects addressing the need for housing and community services.  GCCDS is working with the East Biloxi Coordination, Relief, and Redevelopment Agency to identify sites for multi-unit housing and mixed-use developments.  The studio has also designed a health clinic in D'Iberville, is working in Hancock County and with the City of Moss Point on planning and housing efforts, and is developing design and construction practices focused on increasing sustainability. The common aspects of the work at every scale are a commitment to citizen participation and an effort to rebuild diverse and complete cities and to preserve and restore the unique natural and cultural resources along the coast.


Biloxi Studio 2009 Information and Registration


Updated: East Biloxi Housing Assessment


Under Construction: A house for Nghia in East Biloxi, Mississippi


Completed: A house for Maryann in East Biloxi, Mississippi


Under Construction: A house for Hazel in East Biloxi, Mississippi


Completed: A house for Curtis and Claudia in East Biloxi, Mississippi


Completed: A house for Thelma in East Biloxi, Mississippi


Completed: A house for Flora, in East Biloxi, Mississippi

Building - Planning - Teaching - Research - Recognition

News

October 1, 2008. GCCDS Featured in Architectural Record. The October issue of the magazine features humanitarian design, and highlights the work of the GCCDS. Read more here.

September 24, 2008. GCCDS releases new maps and figures on Katrina Recovery in East Biloxi. The GCCDS has completed its third annual assessment of housing in East Biloxi, releasing new maps and figures showing the steady pace of redevelopment in the community. See the maps here. 

September 23, 2008. Spring 2009 Studio announced.

August 29, 2008. Work of GCCDS featured in Katrina exhibit at MSU. The College of Architecture, Art & Design at MSU is hosting an exhibit on the work of various college departments and programs completed on the Gulf Coast in response to the damage of Hurricane Katrina.

August 28, 2008. GCCDS and AIA Gulf Coast host luncheon. In partnership with the AIA Gulf Coast, GCCDS held a luncheon presentation session on the work of the studio, and invited area firms to participate in the recovery efforts.

 

 

 

Partnerships

American Institute of Architects Mississippi

Architecture for Humanity
Apostolic Christian World Relief
Auburn University
Back Bay Mission
Biloxi Housing Authority
Black Rock Engineering
Boston Architectural College
Carl Small Town Center
The City of Biloxi
The City of Moss Point
Compassion First - BFS Relief
Design Corps
East Biloxi Coordination, Relief & Redevelopment Agency
ESRI
GISCorps
Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia
Hancock Housing Resource Center

Hands On Gulf Coast
Hope Force International
HUD’s Universities Rebuilding America
Partnership

Institute for Sustainable Communities

Knight Foundation
Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
Mercy Housing & Human Development
Mississippi State University
Mississippi Center for Justice
MIT Department of Urban Studies & Planning
MSU College of Architecture, Art + Design
NAVASA
North Gulfport Community Land Trust
Presbyterian Disaster Relief
Renaissance Corporation
The Salvation Army
Samaritan's Purse
Small Business Administration
South Central Arc User Group
State of Mississippi
University of Minnesota
Urban Life Ministries
Warm Welcome Gulf Coast
Warnke Community Consulting
Youth Build


 

 

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