BUILDING / EAST BILOXI / A HOUSE FOR FLORA AND WILLIAM

This is Flora and William.
Flora and William are long-term residents of the East Biloxi community. During their 37 years on Strangi Avenue they raised three children. Their family home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, and due to limited reimbursement for their losses, they came to the Design Studio for assistance in rebuilding.

Flora and William own a beautiful piece of property that overlooks an open wetland. Unfortunately, it is also in a flood plain. In order to mitigate possible future damage, the house is elevated to nine feet above grade, meeting Biloxi’s elevation standards.

Elevating the home presented several challenges to this project. The first challenge is to the owner, William, who has limited mobility. A ramp over one hundred feet long was designed for the house, and for easier accessibility a residential elevator was also included in the plan. Though necessary, these features and the elevated pier foundations raise costs, challenging the house's affordability. Fortunately, Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia took on the construction. Building an elevated home is more difficult for volunteer labor, but the group has risen to the challenge.

Volunteers begin installing drywall in interior rooms.

The house is dried-in after the metal roof is installed.

Exterior siding and trim are complete.

11-16-07: Interior framing is under way. The living room features a vaulted ceiling.

11-16-07: The exterior framing and sheathing are complete.

Flora and William’s site in the trees on Strangi Avenue.