Tulane Students Build Tiny Home for Man after Two Decades of
Homelessness
Before finishing school, Tulane University students
completed a final project: designing and constructing a 440-square-foot tiny
home for a community member who had been homeless for nearly two decades.
Benjamin Henry, who previously lived under Interstate 10 in New Orleans, shared
his journey of overcoming drug and alcohol addiction.
"Sometimes you have to go through some things to see
how badly you want it better," Henry reflected. "Now look where I am.
I'm about to get a home, not just a place to lay my head, but a home."
For nearly 10 months, students worked on this project as
part of Tulane's UrbanBuild program. The design, created by student Noah Lion,
emphasized the importance of a porch for community interaction. The structure
was built in a Tulane-owned warehouse and then relocated to the Lower Ninth
Ward of New Orleans.
The students only discovered who the recipient would be at
the end of the project. Meeting Henry was a significant and rewarding moment
for them.
"A lot of architectural education doesn’t give you a
real client, but to meet someone who will live in your space is incredibly
rewarding," said student Brendan Cook.
Tulane collaborated with the Travelers Aid Society of
Greater New Orleans to identify Henry as a candidate. This organization has
supported Henry with temporary housing for years and will continue to work with
Tulane to build more homes.
Henry expressed immense gratitude to the students and the
university. "Good design and good architecture can be affordable and
accessible to everyone. And it should be," said student Sarah Fisher.
Henry was particularly moved by the small details in his new
home. "I got the air. I got space. I love this. This is where I'm gonna die.
I'm so grateful," he said.
This tiny home, the smallest ever built by UrbanBuild, has
left a significant impact on everyone involved. "Watching him walk over
that threshold is unbelievable," said student Elliot Slovis.
"Building someone's forever home is incredibly rewarding."
Henry, still in disbelief, concluded, "It's starting to
come through. That's why I was crying because I knew it was real. Thank
you."
