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social housing
multifamily residential building

COURSE: Architecture Studio 3
SCHOOL: Federal University of Ceará (UFC)

Project developed with Emilia Souza
ADVISOR: Prof. Me. Bruno Braga
YEAR: 2013
LOCATION: Fortaleza, Brazil
EXHIBITION: EXPO 2013 (UFC)

archicad, autocad, sketchup, v-ray, photoshop, illustrator

The task was to propose a social housing complex, with 600 units, in an area of six hectares on the periphery of Fortaleza (Brazil), discussing new possibilities on this subject, proposing solutions to problems ranging from the typology to the form of construction and the chosen materials.

In the 21st century, the problem of housing deficit in Brazil remains as one of the main urban problems. There are millions of people living in an irregular situation and with conditions that barely guarantee quality of life. As a way of minimizing (but not really solving) the issue, the Brazilian government encouraged professionals in the field of construction, architects and engineers, to develop solutions that modify this scenario.

As a premise of this project, we tried to identify the symbols, norms, values and types of relationships that existed between the houses already implanted in the place with the surroundings, predominantly industrial and commercial. Based on the reality found at the site, we developed a proposal that was consistent with the neighborhood, in order to respect the human scale and allow greater interaction between the residents.

The informality of the surroundings was incorporated into the project, mitigating the social and urban impacts caused by large housing developments. In addition, as an alternative to improve the “cities” of social housing, we prioritized the use of bicycles instead of automobiles. Along the bike paths, we proposed the implementaion of equipments such as courts, an outdoor gym, an amphitheater, children's play areas, among others. Thus, the space is dynamized and the appropriation of the place by the families that will eventually move there is encouraged, establishing bonds of coexistence and solidarity.

site plan
pedestrian pathways and housing buildings

buildings typologies

two and three bedrooms

ground floor

first floor

second floor

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