Building the Levity & Les Deux Bayous S.T.E.A.M. Park Campus
Donation protected
OUR WORLD, OUR FUTURE, OUR WHY
We stand at a juncture of profound planetary and societal shifts. The question of how we adapt to eroding coastlines and increasingly erratic weather is crucial. Can we build homes to withstand volatile winds, extreme temperatures, or rising tides? As topsoil health diminishes and supply chains become fragile, what systems will allow us to feed our communities when unexpected challenges arise? We would not be here today without the power of teamwork. With polarization fracturing this fundamental connection, how will we rediscover the commonalities among us that outweigh our differences?
Levity serves as a catalyst for change. Our mission focuses on the design of sustainable and restorative systems. By fostering collaboration between community members, scientists, artists, and activists, we strive to grow in ways that nourish the planet and our relationship to one another. We envision a future where indigenous and cultural wisdom offers guidance toward stewardship practices. One where innovative technologies safeguard our ecosystems, and our shared humanity helps us adapt to the circumstances we’ve inherited.
We achieve this through interdisciplinary collaboration, community-centered design, and cross-cultural exchange. When we work together, we can navigate the complexities of our time and create a more just and rejuvenating present.
So will our future be defined by the challenges we face or the solutions we found together?
THE LEVITY & LES DEUX BAYOUS STEAM PARK CAMPUS
We're embarking on an ambitious project: the creation of a vibrant campus in partnership with Les Deux Bayous STEAM Park, our partner non-profit. STEAM, in this case is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. The campus will be shared between the two organizations. The site itself is being designed and developed by Architectural students from The Building Institute at The University of Lafayette under the guidance of Professor Geoff Gjertson.
This campus will be a hub for collaboration, education, environmental stewardship, and relaxation offering:
- Hands-on learning experiences: From sustainable agriculture workshops to robotics and fabrication labs, the park will inspire the next generation of innovators to build with nature.
- Community gathering spaces: A place for residents to connect, share ideas, meditate and celebrate their shared heritage.
- Environmental restoration: We'll work together to offer education and initiatives that protect and restore the local ecosystem. This ensures a healthy future for generations to come.
OUR IMMEDIATE GOAL: AQUAHOUSE
Levity's first crucial step in realizing this vision is the construction of AquaHouse. This vital structure will provide much-needed public restrooms for festivals, conferences, farmer's markets, and showers for on-site camping.
Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to making our shared vision a reality:
SMALL DONATIONS SUPPORT PLANNING
$25
$50
$100
LARGE DONATIONS SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AQUA HOUSE:
$500
$1,000
$5,000
JOIN THE LEVITY MOVEMENT :)
By supporting Levity, you're investing in a brighter future for our communities and our planet. Together, we can create a world where innovation and environmental stewardship work hand-in-hand. So please join us in bringing our mission and campus to fruition. We'll be eternally grateful.
LEVITY’S FOCUS AREAS
- The study & design of homes that are constructed to withstand extreme weather patterns.
- Co-creation of roadmaps for communities to navigate food shortages locally, if global supply chains are interrupted.
- Working with native plants to build regenerative systems rooted in communal care such as food forests, flood mitigation, toxin absorption, and recreation.
- Building cross-cultural bridges and fostering collaboration in an effort to deflate the rising tensions of polarization.
OUR APPROACH
Learn:
- We collaborate with experts to study successful sustainable solutions globally.
- We host workshops to share knowledge on innovative building practices and systems.
- We develop educational materials on regenerative practices and climate-adapted communities.
Connect:
- We build interdisciplinary networks of passionate individuals aligned with our mission.
- We host conferences rooted in science and sustainability, fostering connections.
- We design solutions that reconnect people with nature, promoting a symbiotic relationship.
Create:
- We launch seasonal residencies where interdisciplinary teams develop solutions in focus areas like climate-resilient housing.
- We incubate viable businesses centered on sustainability, offering education and mentorship in equitable practices and work-life balance.
- We develop workforce training programs on regenerative ecosystem practices.
Share:
- Solutions developed through Levity are open-source.
- We share research materials and documentation online for global access.
- We donate a portion of our creations to support low-income communities affected by the impact of climate change.
Please visit levityla.com to learn more about our partnerships, upcoming events, and how we plan to accomplish our mission.
MORE INFO ABOUT THE CAMPUS:
The Levity and Les Deux Bayous STEAM Park site occupies five acres on Bayou Fuselier in Arnaudville, Louisiana. It sits across the street from the NUNU ARTS and Culture Collective, another non profit run by Artists. The shared vision of citizens, students, artists, and entrepreneurs is one of collective research, ideation, and innovation. Imagine a campus where music and art can interact with science, sustainability, and problem solving. Events like cultural festivals, scientific conferences and sustainability workshops will draw the public to live and learn on site from each other as well as from invited experts. This vision has lead toward a plan to build 5 unique and sustainable facilities over 15 years. They will house a think-tank and incubation space geared toward meeting the intertwined needs of humanity and our ecosystems in harmonious ways. The construction of each of the five buildings will cost approximately $160,00.
A design charrette in Arnaudville, LA in the fall of 2024, identified the spaces and buildings needed: performance and conference spaces, spaces to promote hygiene and well-being, fabrication labs, and entrepreneurial markets. Science, arts, commerce, and culture will become the vehicle to deliver sustainable solutions.
ARNAUDVILLE, LOUISIANA
Nestled in the heart of Acadiana, Arnaudville serves as a vibrant example of its cultural tapestry. This historic town, incorporated in 1870, boasts a unique past. Originally an Ishak settlement, it transformed into La Murière and later La Jonction. French settlers arrived in the18th century, and by the 19th century, the town bore the name of the Brothers Arnaud, who generously donated land to the community.
The town is also now home to the burgeoning Saint-Luc French Immersion and Cultural Campus, Acadiana Native Plant Project, Bayou Teche Brewing and more. The NUNU Arts and Culture Collective, established one of the first Louisiana Cultural Districts, embracing creative placemaking practices. This dedication to a living culture has transformed Arnaudville. It’s become a haven for locals, a magnet for visitors, and an economic driver for the region.
OUR PARTNERS
Mission: To engage youth in interactive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning while promoting cultural preservation and environmental stewardship.
The Building Institute was founded in 2003 by Prof. Eddie Cazayoux, FAIA and Prof. Geoff Gjertson, AIA to allow architecture students to get hands- on building experience while serving the community. The Building Institute has completed over 18 projects totaling over $3 million (just material value) with over 600 students involved.
The Building Institute’s Impact to Date:
- 18 Completed Projects
- $3 Million in Material Value Alone
- 600+ UL Architecture Students Participated
- High rate of Job Placement for Participating Students
The NUNU Collective is an educational organization that works to encourage the development of artistic talents, skills, knowledge and business savvy by connecting artists with other artists, businesses, organizations and programs. It serves as a stage/platform/gallery for creative living by facilitating community, economic, and artistic/cultural development.
We at Canopy Spirits are reaching out today to cultivate a future brimming with possibility. Our vision? To transform bamboo, a fast-growing and renewable resource, into the cornerstone of a revolutionary initiative. Imagine educational workshops where young and old alike learn regenerative agriculture, practices once used daily by our ancestors. These workshops will foster a connection with nature while participants learn to work with bamboo, a versatile crop.
Creating experiences that build relationships, strengthen communities, and inspire lasting impact. Culture Lime is a name with a purpose. “Culture” speaks to the collective values, stories, and traditions that shape who we are as people. “Lime” is a Trinidadian way of saying “gather” or “come together.” Combined, these words represent a brand that’s here to create experiences where communities come together, connect authentically, and celebrate their shared humanity. We’re building spaces where culture, community, and connection thrive.
Organizer
Charles Chaisson
Organizer
Arnaudville, LA