The Rising Oaks subdivision construction site in Terrytown was buzzing with activity on a recent Thursday morning.

Under a blazing sun, workers swarmed around eight midcentury modern-style houses under construction in a neighborhood that may eventually grow to 150 homes. Some workers were using a giant crane to unload stacks of drywall panels. Others were installing layers of waterproof material on a roof in anticipation of afternoon showers.

The Rising Oaks houses are a throwback to 1960s design, but under their shingles and behind their walls they feature construction techniques and materials that are very much of the moment, all designed to make the homes more resilient during extreme weather. Each house has multiple water barriers on the roof, metal connections bolstering the wood

See Full Page