Unabridged Architecture Transforms Dilapidated 1891 Building Into Colorful Eco Offices

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/hurricane-katrina/">Katrina</a> may have been one of the most devastating natural disasters to hit America, but she definitely didn't douse the spirit of sustainable design. Masters of reconstructing buildings destroyed during the 2005 hurricane, <a href="http://www.unarch.com/">unabridged Architecture</a> recently finished giving a dilapidated 1891 Mississippi building a colorful upgrade. The firm's new base in Bay Saint Louis nicknamed "After the Storm" was built out of salvaged, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/local-materials/">locally-sourced and recycled materials</a>. This project features all kinds of sustainable features, and despite various challenges, including an awkward site and a limited budget, this awesome project is well on its way to receiving <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/leed-silver-certification/">LEED Silver certification</a>.

The building's green features include a rainwater harvesting system, bike storage that promotes reduced carbon use, passive design, a lot of open space, and extensive landscaping comprised of indigenous flora. Unabridged Architecture have given a Katrina-survivor a LEED Silver upgrade

Materials used were recycled, salvaged, and sustainably sourced within 200 miles of the Mississippi site.

The first site in the state to reserve parking for low-emitting buildings, After the Storm is aiming for LEED Silver certification.

Large shaded windows permit natural light to enter the building without a ton of solar gain.

Rainwater is harvested on-site.

And the brownfield site was restored using phytoremediation and other techniques.