Storypod

Small Center Engagement

As part of a Fall 2009 Small Center Design/Build studio, Tulane Architecture students worked with the staff and students of NSP to design and renovate NSP’s 7th Ward corner store building. Small Center designed an interview space as well as storage and office space. The design strategy involves many small components which are easy to fabricate, transport, and combine to form several storage walls. Those walls, backed with a translucent plastic to allow light in, act to partition a more intimate interview space. The goal of the design is to highlight and facilitate the work of the NSP by creating a multifunctional wall to showcase their publications while also creating a space for the conversations being collected for future publications.

Partner Organization

The Neighborhood Story Project is a documentary book-making nonprofit in New Orleans. Through writing, interviews, and photography, neighborhood writers create portraits of their places. They then edit the stories with other residents from their neighborhoods to create inclusive and honest publications. Writers of NSP books range from local high school students to social aid and pleasure clubs.

Outcome

Neighborhood Story Project continues to teach, write and publish incredible books, and uses their space for a variety of events. Since the construction of the Storypod, Small Center has worked with NSP on the Cornerstones book and website project including the Candlelight Lounge booklet.

Collaborators

Neighborhood Story Project

• Rachel Breunlin
• Abram Himelstein