Architects for Peace > arch-peace war + reconstruction  »   Katrina reconstruction excludes designers?

Reconstruction contracts for architects and designers are thin on the ground as a massive rebuilding effort gets underway using existing kitset house plans. John Schlatter, spokesman for construction giant Bechtel:

"[Bechtel is] not engaged in any significant design or architectural work.” Arch Record 24.10.05

This is despite them building 7,000 homes so far on flood-prone land. Architects working without government support have had some small wins though, as a recent design charette in Biloxi proved. But that event was staged by the Congress for New Urbanism, which has its own agendas to pursue in the reconstruction.