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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*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