An Architectural Record Exclusive

When Hurricanes Katrina and Rita pummeled Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas weeks apart, they left behind a path of destruction and human misery that can never be fully tallied. According to the AIA, the Gulf Coast region lost some 275,000 to 300,000 houses; the Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief and Economic Recovery Act asked that the state be provided $30 billion in tax exempt bond financing authority for rebuilding in the disaster area.

But the number of houses destroyed and the amount of money needed to rebuild are only two aspects of this developing story. In our Hurricane Katrina Special Feature, Architectural Record is publishing new material on the challenge of rebuilding and reprises the best of our print coverage. Here, you will find

• Articles about the government's response.
• Articles and audio about how local architects are coping .
• Ways in which the national architecture community is getting involved.
• Web exclusive slide shows of the hurricanes's aftermath, with audio.
• A competition sponsored by Architectural Record and Tulane University for rebuilding.
• Links to more resources for news and help, and analysis of what should replace what has been destroyed.

While it is expected to take years to rebuild the area, the discussion of how, where, and why to do it has already begun. We hope this Web site gives those of us concerned about the Gulf Coast's architectural legacy a head-start on gathering information and making decisions.