FAVELA pocket DICTIONARY

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S.L.U.M. LAB / issue 8 / fall 2013

FAVELA pocket DICTIONARY

the beginning of a dictionary of objects, spaces and notions, found in favelas complexes in brazil

published at S.L.U.M LAB /issue 8/fall 2013/ETH D-ARCH


S.L.U.M. LAB / issue 8 / fall 2013 Erasmo Valeria / Markaki Metaxia / Tsikas Apostolis

FAVELA pocket DICTIONARY At first sight a favela seems to be a strange homogeneous complex; an ever-expanding compact mass that extends without a specific structure or organization; a chaotic form where rules and order are difficult to be

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recognized. However, looking closer at a favela, different structural elements begin to appear. The “Favela Pocket Dictionary” is based on observations 3

made in the informal part of the cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. It is an effort to decode the visual and the spatial language of a favela, decomposing it to objects, spaces, and notions, that although already known to us, in a favela context they aquire special meanings. The current article is the beginning of a collection, to be continued through the development of a platform for collecting and archiving favelas constitutional elements, the http://favelapocketdictionary.tumblr.com [d] INSTRUCTIONS FOR READERS This dictionary contains three different writings and therefore three parallel readings. The BLUE terms: which are abstract terms related to favelas. The BLACK terms: which are everyday objects found in favelas. The SYMBOLS: which are small icons that create references between objects and abstract terms, formulating a cross-reading of the text. In this way, the reader can create its own path in the article similar to the path that is traced when walking in a favela.

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THE DICTIONARY

BRICK

THE TRANSFORMATION

continuous redefinition. Sometimes, it is not respected

A clay element created in a form and hardened in a

The process of changing form and characteristics. It is related to

and a new wall comes to block it. Other times it is

rectangular unit so that it can be multiplied and create

transition, mutation, evolution, and transfiguration. A system under

appropriated by the life of the space where it belongs, and

a bigger structure. 
In favelas the bricks create walls,

transformation is a dynamic system, receiving forces and tensions

it becomes the frame of private moments, revealing a

and if repeated, walls create houses. Houses, multiplied

that lead to its transition toward a new situation. Favelas constitute

and repeated, form street fronts and neighborhoods.

a system under continuous transformation and evolution, where

hanging birdcage, fresh washed clothes, or decorations. 1 its use to be questioned However, it’s not rare for

The multiplication of a small constructive unit creates a

multiple forces and actors influence the procedure of change.

and appropriated

structural pattern that spreads and formulates the favela

THE UNFINISHED

between public

structure. ░

An object is considered unfinished when it hasn’t yet arrived

and private. In some of

to its final form. A situation is considered unfinished when it

these cases, it is

THE PATTERN:

hasn’t reached an end. “Unfinished” has evident characteristics

transformed ╽

A pattern is an original object used to make copies, or a set of

that reveal its constructional procedure and permit a range of

to a sitting space,

repeating objects in a decorative design and in other disciplines.

potential interpretations and evolutions. In favelas, the state of the

a meeting point,

Favelas seem to be formed by a superposition of different patterns

,

“unfinished’ is permanent, yet creating an integrated image; the

a shop or a pub.

with the repetition of objects, motives and layers.

image of a pending completition.

[1]

PENDAN T

WINDOW

[2]

as a thin slice of interstitial space

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CORRUGATED CANOPY [4]

[3]

Steel rods projecting from

A transparent or translucent opening in a wall that allows

Light-weight cover with characteristic wave-geometry,

reinforced concrete elements,

the passage of light and air. A window is held by a frame,

made out of corrugated zink, aluminium, or copper.

indicating the possibility of

and its porosity is defined by the material that covers it

Known as CGI (corrugated galvanized iron). Because of its

the structure being continued.

(i.e glass, cobogo, curtain). A window needs a wall in

structure and attributes it can be used easily and quickly

In favelas the pendant

order to exist. Its presence declares the establishment

for constructing a roof or a small canopy. Corrugated

becomes a common image,

of communication between exterior and interior. Its

metal is widespread in favelas

it is seen on the roofs of

absence means an unbreakable limit.

entrances, covers to yards between houses or open-air

one- or two- floor houses,

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. It forms canopies to

Windows differ among civilizations, as they reveal

rooms, covered spaces on the roofs or over exterior stairs

usually combined with a

characteristics of cultural identity, materializing the

leading to upper floors. Spaces that are neither open nor

temporary canopy 〠. It is the result

limit and the relation of private and public space.

closed, spaces at the edges, instant and transitional. 〠

of the continuous process of self-construction. Each

In favelas, windows are particular. Embodied in the

self-made house covers the immediate needs of the

brick walls, they maintain almost the same size and

people constructing it, and therefore there is the need

proportions creating a motif,

for flexibility and potential transformation .
As a result,

images. Windows are supposed to define the limit and

or matter. Found as interstice or interstitial space. XS

the “pendants” of the concrete columns are left exposed,

the relation between public and private space. However

Favelas are very dense. The built mass, being aggressive

waiting to receive the next floor

a pattern in favelas

INTERSTICE [5] A gap or a space left empty between spaces full of structure

, indicating a system

this is an issue under continuous negotiation in favelas.

and conquering the void, becomes proportionally

of ongoing transformation. It is a dynamic system in

Therefore, the “window” placed on the fragile limit of

prevailing. However, the interstices, found unexpectedly

continuous change and mutation.

private and public, becomes a peculiar object, a space of

between solid and concrete masses, allow views and


S.L.U.M. LAB / issue 8 / fall 2013

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2

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*pictures from the personal archive of the authors

STAIRS [7]

frame further perspectives. The

XS EXTRA SMALL:

interstices are the spaces through which

A construction designed to bridge a large vertical distance

Last unit of the scale XL L M S XS. Indicates the minimum dimensions

light, air, view, water and even

by dividing it into smaller vertical distances called steps.

used for vital activities in favelas because of the lack of space.

infrastructures penetrate in the favela

Often found in favelas, stairs enable vertical movement

dense aggregate . And although feeble,

into the tissue, on one hand connecting the multilevel

intimate, and fragile, they become one of

platforms of the private houses, and on the other hand

Colorful and multi-shape

creating a public pedestrian road network that follows

fabrics hanging on houses

natural topography. Generally they are combined with

or public spaces after being

THE TRANSITIONAL AND THE TRANSITORY:

open-air rainwater runoff channels. The public stair

washed. Elements of very intimate use and character like

Terms describing the absence of defined spatial character and time

network, composed of multi-fragmented levels, by

sheets and socks exit the domestic zone and become a

identity. Spaces with imprecise limits, spaces in-between private and

definition excludes vehicles and offers the potential for

constructive element of the identity of a favela street.

public, open and closed, permanent use and instant appropriation.

different ways of appropriation

. The stairs in favelas

Hanging clothes have both a theatrical and revealing

This kind of spaces create an ambiguous and non-precise

constitute almost a sculptural element. Running along the

aspect. Near the bricks and the pendants they create a

environment where its everyday redefinition and appropriation by

streets, they enter the houses, climb floors, and exit again

fluid and colorful layer ░ indicating people’s identities

the inhabitants form its spatial characteristics.

on rooftops. It seems as if they tie together the public and

and their tendency to extend to public sphere XS , self-

private sphere with one continuous gesture. Although

appropriate, and construct their space according to their

in favelas every void is conquered and squatted, the stairs

needs. ▨

the strongest elements in favela’s streets. 〠 〠

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WATER TANK [6]

HANGING LAUNDRY [8]

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A cylindrical concrete or plastic container used to

and the passages are

store water. It is present on almost every rooftop in the

valuable and well respected. XS

FAVELAS_

favelas,

where it is used as a support to the existing

In addition, they become poles

A valuable space for a collector of objects, terms, and meanings. A

water supply system, creating extra water pressure. It is

of social life where people play

complex system with ambiguous and contradicting inner structure

an element of the denuded favela infrastructural system.

cards, drink or dance. It seems

that could not easily be determined and listed in a pocket dictionary.

Along with the evident water pipes on walls, the electric

as if the space they lack in their

However, a dictionary could be the start of a map to enter through

cables running over the streets and the open sewage

interiors is placed in the streets

systems, in favelas most infrastructural elements are

and transformed to

not carefully hidden, but instead they are uncovered

a community living. 〠

and revealed in the streets

a favela’s interstices and explore this aggregate of forms, situations

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and conditions.

[d]

[d] http://favelapocketdictionary.tumblr.com

. As in the development of

favelas, in which first the houses were built and then the

SELF-APPROPRIATION:

the beginning of a platform for collecting and archiving objects /

networks arrived the development of a water system was

Procedure through which people occupy space, either with

terms / meanings in complex aggregates as favelas

also reversed. The infrastructural

activities or with built structures, extending the limits of their vital

system has been placed last,

space. Privatization is a form of appropriation including issues of

precariously, evident

ownership. The appropriation is an underlying force and the

on the facades and

constructive mechanism of a favela’s built environment and

in the public sphere. 6

common life.

REFERENCES 1. Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa, Murray Silverstein, A Pattern Language, Towns, Buildings, Construction. , N.Y, Oxford Press, 1977 2. Anne Mikoleit, Moritz Purckhauer, Urban Code, 100 lesson for Understanding the City, Cambridge, MIT press, 2011 3. Z.Baladrian-V.Havranek, Atlas of Transformation, Prague, Tranzit, 2000


S.L.U.M. LAB / issue 8 / fall 2013

http://favelapocketdictionary.tumblr.com

an open platform for collecting and archiving objects, meanings and notions related to complex aggregates as favelas


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