Lowe's to offer Katrina Cottages

Lowe's Companies Inc. has finalized a licensed agreement with designer Marianne Cusato to be the exclusive retailer of housing plans and associated building materials needed to construct Katrina Cottages. Four designs of the cottages will be initially available in Lowe's stores throughout Mississippi and Louisiana.

"Lowe's is committed to the rebuilding efforts along the Gulf Coast, and we believe this is a tremendous opportunity for area residents to establish a permanent place to call their own," said Larry D. Stone, senior executive vice president of merchandising and marketing at Lowe's.

Katrina Cottages, developed by Cusato in conjunction with a team of leading architects from around the United States including architect and town planner Andres Duany, are designed to withstand heavy rain and winds up to 140 miles per hour, meet most hurricane codes and the International Building Code. The first four plans Lowe's intends to offer its customers range from 544 square feet to 936 square feet. Some of the plans are designed to grow as large as 1,200 square feet, though a limited number of additional designs at 1,340 square feet are forthcoming.

Lowe's said it expects the Katrina Cottage plans to be available in select Mississippi and Louisiana stores beginning in late fall of 2006. For more information about the original Katrina Cottage, visit http://www.cusatocottages.com/.