Image of the property that will compete. The brick and cement facade is not covered with paint, the water pipes are exterior, as are the electrical connections, and its windows are made of iron, like those of the neighboring houses.

A modest house in a Brazilian favela aspires to be chosen as the best house in the world in a renowned international architectural competition and also seeks to demonstrate that it is possible to have quality housing conditions in a poor neighborhood.

He ‘hut’as the homes of the country’s poorest communities are commonly called, was postulated by Archidailythe main architecture portal in the world, in the contest, in which it will compete with splendid and expensive mansions.

Without frills and practically blending into the surroundings, the “Coffee orchard house” stands on an unpaved roaddown a steep alley in Aglomerado da Serra, on the outskirts of Belo Horizonte, capital of the state of Minas Gerais.

The house was built with the same materials with which the houses were built in this gigantic complex of favelas which, in the middle of its narrow streets, is home to some 100,000 inhabitants.

The drawing of the design of the apartment.
The drawing of the design of the apartment.

The brick and cement facade is not covered with paint, the water pipes are exterior, as are the electrical connections, and its windows are made of iron, like those of the neighboring houses.

It is a house that can be very similar in cost to others in the favela, but the difference lies in the way the elements have been used, with design specifications and construction techniques that have allowed the creation of efficient space with environmental quality. .

The project was realized and signed by the architects Fernando Maculan and Joana Magalhãesmembers of Levante, a collective that volunteers in the favelas and brings together various professionals including engineers, electricians, landscapers and designers, as well as students.

This initiative shares the knowledge and experience gained with people in the communities, whose lessons have been essential for those responsible for the project.

It is a house that can be very similar in cost to others in the favela, but the difference lies in the way the elements have been used, with design specifications and construction techniques that have allowed the creation of efficient space with environmental quality. .
It is a house that can be very similar in cost to others in the favela, but the difference lies in the way the elements have been used, with design specifications and construction techniques that have allowed the creation of efficient space with environmental quality. .

“We have to learn with them, listen to them a lot to be able to build through the perspectives they have,” Maculan told EFE.

Photos of the house that appeared on the architect’s account on a social network were seen by the Archdaily team, who first published the project on their portal and then selected it for the competition.

Now, the simple house sits alongside luxurious and modern abodes that also compete to be the best in the world and it hopes to continue adding votes to the portal until February 15, when the deadline expires.

The house, which has a area of ​​66 square meters and two levelsrests on a solid structure whose foundations also help to support the other houses in the alley.

Photos of the house that appeared on the architect's account on a social network were seen by the Archdaily team, who first published the project on their portal and then selected it for the competition.
Photos of the house that appeared on the architect’s account on a social network were seen by the Archdaily team, who first published the project on their portal and then selected it for the competition.

Its walls were constructed with hollow bricks used horizontally, a subtle change that upset the facade and provided additional benefits.

“Al ser horizontal dan forma a pared más ancha y con un a térmica mayor inercia, lo que lo que transduce en un ambiente que va a demorar más en calentar se cuando hay temperaturas elevadas ya prservar un poco más el clima interno cuando hace frío”, explicó the architect.

Something similar is seen with the design of windows and doors, which in addition to allowing natural light to enter and give more light to the room, generate cross ventilation that cools the environment. Already, external water lines help prevent leaks.

However, the start of the project posed some difficulties.

The plan of the building.
The plan of the building.

The house, which could have been completed in six months, took two years – it started in 2018 and was completed in 2020 – and ultimately cost 150,000 reais (about $28,846, at the current exchange rate), a value that increased more than expected due to the need to repair some works damaged by the rains.

Kdu dos Anjosfavela community leader and owner, is the big winner of this project.

Born and raised in this community, together with Maculan, he promoted the formation of the Levante collective which made his dream come true.

With two dogs, a cat and 60 plants, this artist not only feels blessed by his home and what it represents, but is also grateful that the project helps show another side of his favela.

The construction is simple like the neighboring houses but the design highlights it.
The construction is simple like the neighboring houses but the design highlights it.

“Usually we want to talk about violence, shooting, death (…) and now we’re talking about the exact opposite, about life, hope, creativity and entrepreneurship”, a- he told EFE.

(with information from EFE)

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