Social Housing Acts: Travel Studio Experiences in Brazil

Ana Rolim

 Co-Presenters: Erny Salazar, Jennifer Banzon, Abigail Boussios, Christina Ostermier
College: Michael Graves College
Department: School of Public Architecture
 

Abstract:

This research addresses the global housing crisis, exacerbated by rapid urbanization, the decline of public housing, and the financialization of real estate, which has transformed housing from a social right to a commodity. Over 1.6 billion people lack adequate housing, a number expected to rise to 3 billion by 2030. This research explores a design studio methodology developed to address housing issues in Recife and São Paulo, Brazil, focusing on contested urban sites marked by income inequality and unplanned development. These areas have witnessed grassroots movements advocating for affordable housing and public space in response to real estate exploitation. The studio promotes the integration of collective housing and public spaces, proposing that both elements be treated as interconnected.The design process begins with a perceptual analysis of urban morphology, using sketches, axonometric projections, and stereotomic models. These studies evolve into formal designs based on local building types and adaptive grids, considering environmental factors. By challenging the market-driven vertical housing model, the studio emphasizes climate-sensitive, street-level interactions that reflect local customs. In Recife, the Cabanga site, a blend of new developments and informal settlements, became the battleground for the Movimento Ocupe Estelita, which opposed a luxury real estate project threatening public spaces. Despite resistance, the project led to the displacement of informal residents and raised concerns about zoning changes that may overlook vulnerable populations.In São Paulo, the studio focused on the Bixiga neighborhood, historically dense and marked by social divisions since the construction of the Minhocão highway. The vacant lot next to the Teatro Oficina became the focal point of community efforts to preserve public space, echoing the struggles in Recife. Both cities highlight the need for inclusive, community-centered urban solutions, emphasizing the importance of respecting both social and environmental needs in the fight for equitable housing and public space.