Studios, a dog park and a community hub on Japonica Street.
Japonica Works is a working campus in the Upper Ninth Ward of New Orleans. Artists and makers rent studios here. Neighbors bring their dogs to Daisy Dog Park. More of the campus opens as we build it.
Where we stand
Building it on a shoestring.
We were awarded a $20 million EPA Community Change Grant to build a resilience hub at 1435 Japonica Street. The Administration cancelled the grant, so we are now operating on a shoestring. We are building out the campus and adding community functions as funds are available.
Made from what is already here.
Most of a building's lifetime energy is spent putting it up. So we start with what exists: two warehouses on Japonica Street, salvaged lumber and steel, and shipping containers.
Our own wood, metal and concrete shops and a CNC router turn that material into the walls, railings, furniture and fixtures you see around the campus.
The campus
Master site plan.
1435 Japonica and its front parking lot, 1333 Japonica and its yard.

Wish list
Have something we can use?
We are building this piece by piece. Leftover concrete from your pour, salvaged materials and a few hours of your time all go a long way here.