Page 20 - Arch. Soledad Chamorro Portfolio

Favela Mangueira. Photography by Soledad Chamorro.

Morar Carioca 2012
"Architecture as verb. Project explorations
in La Mangueira".
By Soledad Chamorro.

Rio is the postcard of the beach of
Copacabana, the Maracaná, the Christ. For
architects it is also Reidy, Burle Marx and many
more ... but Rio is also favela.
The topic of the Workshop is exciting: the study
of collective housing and public space, in a real
context, with real demands.
The name of the workshop, "Morar carioca",
makes us think that there would be a way of
living related to the Brazilian culture, specifically
of Rio. It is that "dwelling" that we must study
from the disciplinary, so that our contribution is
relevant to the physical and social demands,
through project explorations that overcome the
conflicts that arise, qualitatively transforming
the area of ​​intervention in particular and the city
in general.
The excuse: Mangueira. To investigate and
reflect on the problems of habitat in its broadest
sense, and the inclusion not only physical but
also social sectors excluded from the formal city
and all its benefits. It could be another favela,
another site -as it was in 2011- since there are
conflicts and demands common to all the
favelas of Rio de Janeiro.
The workshop as a design exercise allows a
first project reflection, not presented as a
finished work, but as a drawn question, a first
hypothesis to start thinking.
As a preliminary reflection: La Mangueira is
presented as an opportunity to rethink the
problem of housing financed by the State and
public space, infrastructure provision,
connectivity system, mobility and transport,
equipment, etc. Always from the discipline,
without losing sight of the real social demands,
to positively transform the quality of life of its
inhabitants and the entire city.

A&P “Morar Carioca 2012-2013-2014" publication cover.