Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, nationally renowned design firm Urban Design Associates was hired to assist in the rebuilding of the Lafitte community near downtown New Orleans. With its close proximity, the land was an excellent location for mixed income housing.
The goal was to create a cultural and historical neighborhood with easy access to employment opportunities and consumer services. The community is designed with both rental and purchased housing options, including single family homes, duplexes and multi-family buildings.
The project presented several challenges:
- The windows had to be architecturally accurate and demonstrate historical detail
- They had to meet stringent impact performance ratings
- Pricing had to fit within a very tight budget
Windsor’s Legend HBR combines a clad wood sash with a CPVC frame and has the strength to meet impact-resistance test standards. Exterior casings replicate the wood detail of the region in sustainable, cellular PVC that does not decay when exposed to moisture or insects. A variety of casing options and lite patterns created unique elevations with historical detail. In addition, these trim options provided a solution at various price points.
At this stage, the community spans 27 acres and consists of 1500 housing units. The first 2 phases required over 2000 Legend HBR impact double-hung windows.
Windsor’s distributor in the area, the Windoor Design Group, quickly earned confidence with the general contractor due to their excellent communication and service. To facilitate the delivery of the windows, they developed a color-coded system to get the correct product to the different building types.
This project was a tribute to the resiliency of the New Orleans people and their dedication to rebuild their city. It started as a result of devastation but succeeded through faith, collaboration and perseverance.