USA Today article: Habitat building in historic district

[JNA]

HEADLINE:
Aesthetics, assistance work well together
Habitat for Humanity home blends into a historic district in Savannah
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition...home07.art.htm

HIGHLIGHTS:

new house is one of only two such homes in the USA, the first in a pilot program that is a collaboration between the Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America (ICA&CA) and the U.S. Area Office of Habitat for Humanity International. (The other house is in Rochester, N.Y., and a third groundbreaking is scheduled this spring in Washington, D.C.)

"It's a perfect model in how we try to integrate new architecture into an urban environment," adds Scott Singeisen, chair of the Department of Architecture at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Mark McDonald, executive director of the Historic Savannah Foundation, thinks so, too.

SIDEBAR ARTICLE:
HEADLINE: 'Neighborly' is the new way
A Pattern Book for Neighborly Houses is a guide architects and builders can use to construct a "neighborly" house in areas where Habitat for Humanity homes might not otherwise be welcome.

More Info at:
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition...7_side.art.htm


Would there be resistance in your communit if Habitat were to buld in your Historic District ? even if they followed this example ?

[Suburb Repairman]

Of our five districts, I can think of only one (really rich) district that might oppose. It would be a moot case though, because that district has no empty properties and even if it did, Habitat would get called on the carpet for spending so much for the property when there is other, cheaper infill properties throughout the city.

Habitat is building five houses right on the edge of one of our historic districts. When they broke ground, several folks from the district signed up as volunteers.