DAMAGED GULF COAST REGION

When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the United States on August 29, 2005, death and destruction were widespread. The historic city of New Orleans has received much media attention; less so the smaller communities in Mississippi and Alabama. Thousands of people were left homeless as wind and flooding destroyed entire towns. Next week writer Jennifer LeClaire will describe the damage and prospects for recovery.

IN PURSUIT OF GREEN MATERIALS

The building sector consumes up to half of the energy in the United States in constructing, maintaining, and demolishing structures. Therefore, much of the responsibility for reducing our reliance on fossil fuels rests with architects. Next week Michael Cockram will show how specifiers can help reduce global warming by selecting nonpolluting building materials, such as this composite board made from reclaimed plastic and sunflower husks.