Actor Brad Pitt announced the winners of the Sustainable Design Competition for New Orleans yesterday. Pitt, the design jury chairman, unveiled a ‘green' housing plan for the city's Lower Ninth Ward that incorporates the newest sustainable technologies to cut pollution and energy costs by 50 to 60 percent and provides for a community center, walkway and garden…

Pam Dashiell, President of the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association where the complex will be built, served as one of the design jury members and described the role of the community process throughout the competition saying, "The amount of community input was incredible; these green building designs breathe new life into our communities."

Two New York City architects submitted the winning design, of Workshop/APD, dubbed their design Greenola. The plan calls for two multi-family units, six single family houses, services such as child care within a community center, a garden, and a wide pedestrian ramp leading to the adjacent Mississippi River levee.

The idea for the contest, underwritten by Pitt, developed from a conversation between Brad Pitt and Global Green President, Matt Petersen, at the Clinton Global Initiative meeting in New York City in September 2005.

The use of resource-saving appliances and lighting, with solar electricity and hot water heaters, and recycled building materials, will cut pollution and decrease costs to homeowners by 50-60 percent compared with traditional homes.

Global Green USA is currently generating funding partners and developers to begin construction later this year. $100,000 was donated towards the purchase of land in Holy Cross by Trizec Properties Inc. Roughly $3.5 million to $5 million is needed.

Photo: NBC