At first look, it’s a home like dozens of others within the crowded favelas of Brazil. However this seemingly modest dwelling of 66 sq. meters (710 sq. toes), with its uncovered brick partitions, has simply been acknowledged because the “home of the yr” in a global structure competitors.
The home honored by specialised web site ArchDaily belongs to Kdu dos Anjos, a 32-year-old artist dwelling within the bustling Aglomerado da Serra favela on the backside of a hill on the sting of the southeastern metropolis of Belo Horizonte.
The 2-story construction defeated some extra imposing contest entries from India, Mexico, Vietnam and Germany.
“I am very proud that my home gained this prize, as a result of many of the information concerning the favelas talks of violence and houses destroyed by landslides,” mentioned dos Anjos.
“At present, my house is on high of the world!”
The home, constructed on a small lot dos Anjos bought in 2017, is effectively ventilated and enjoys ample pure mild; it options horizontal casement home windows and a big terrace.
“The design of the home represents a constructive mannequin that makes use of frequent supplies within the slums, with an ample implementation and a focus to lighting and air flow, leading to an area with nice environmental high quality,” ArchDaily wrote on its web site.
For dos Anjos, who based a cultural middle in his group, the prize carries particular significance.
“I do know my home is not probably the most stylish on the planet, nevertheless it’s a well-built shack,” he says with a smile.
Dos Anjos has been dwelling there since 2020, together with two canine, a cat and greater than 60 vegetation.
“What the architects did is pure magic,” he added. “We barely have 66 sq. metres, however I’ve had events right here with near 200 individuals.”
The design was the work of the Levante structure collective, which does professional bono or low-cost work within the favelas.
From the skin, the home resembles its neighbors, nevertheless it incorporates a number of options that make it each sturdier and extra respectful of the atmosphere, notably in its “consideration to lighting and air flow,” mentioned architect Fernando Maculan, the mission chief.
One obvious distinction with close by homes is within the association of the bricks, laid horizontally — not vertically — and in staggered rows, which provides solidity and improves insulation.
The mission took eight months—and loads of work.
“The masons had been offended as a result of they thought laying bricks this fashion was very time-consuming,” Maculan mentioned.
“And we had loads of bother getting the supplies up the steps — it is the final home on the alley, and I needed to pay the employees who carried it quite a bit,” he mentioned. The slim, twisting roads within the favela are tough for automobiles to navigate.
The complete job price 150,000 Brazilian reais ($29,000), and the funding paid off in additional methods than one: Not solely did the structure prize deliver worldwide recognition, the home has helped dos Anjos understand a childhood dream.
“Once I was a boy, I lived in a really modest, poorly insulated room. I even obtained stung by a scorpion—my sister did too,” he mentioned.
“Profitable this prize after having suffered from architecture-related issues represents an important victory for me.”
