REFAVELA when informality becomes the solution

from Selected Works 2010 - 2023

by Lucas Pissetti

ABN AMRO PAVILJOEN MAHLERPLEIN

Academic Academie van Bouwkunst São Paulo - Paraisópolis 2019 mixed-use informal settlement

Bart Bulter

Maurizio Scarciglia

Johanna van Doorn

Archicad, Autocad, Sketchup, V-Ray, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign

Cum Laude Issuu Archinect Vimeo

The culture of fear seems to be increasingly embedded in today’s society, especially on highly social unequal countries, such as Brazil. People are sold by the idea of isolating themselves in their own gated communities in order to feel safe from the crimes and violence in the streets. But by neglecting the city, social interaction fail to exist and suspicion from one another is only increased.

On the other hand, life in the favelas is all about the sense of community and lively streets. Even though several problems caused by the low income and poor living conditions affects the inhabitants, people usually feel safe living within their neighbors. But even there, new social housing blocks are being designed with the same failed methodology, bringing the same gated communities to the inside of the favelas, and killing the spirit of the place.

Refavela proposes a new strategy on designing with informal settlements, which aims to improve basic life conditions for the people in need, while preserving the qualities that are very specific to these locations. The idea is that a main structure is provided by the State to the residents, so they can continue building their own houses themselves, enabling the informality which enriches the favela to live on.

The area is disconnected from its surroundings due to its steep topography. All buildable space has been filled with housing, leaving only the minimal space for circulation.

Increased erosion, ongoing mudslides, steep slopes, poor soil, and inadequate stormwater runoff drainage systems have categorized Grotão as a High-Risk zone.

Based on existing roads and the steep topography, two new paths are created to connect the whole area with its surroundings.

A structure is built following the road system. Instead of given social housing blocks, the residents will be able to build upon the structure themselves.