At first glance, it is a house like dozens of others in Brazil’s populous favelas. But the seemingly modest 66-square-meter residence, with exposed brick walls, has just been recognized as the ‘House of the Year’ in an international architecture competition.
The honored house, featured by the specialized site ArchDaily, belongs to Kdu dos Anjos, a 32-year-old artist who lives in the bustling favela of Aglomerado da Serra, on a hill in the outskirts of Belo Horizonte (MG).
The two-story structure beat out some more imposing buildings from India, Mexico, Vietnam, and Germany.
“I am very proud that my house has won this award because most news about favelas talks about violence and houses destroyed by landslides,” Kdu dos Anjos told Euronews. “Today my house is at the top of the world!”
The house, built on a small lot that Kdu acquired in 2017, is well-ventilated and enjoys abundant natural light; it features horizontal casement windows and a large terrace.
“The design of the house represents a construction model that uses common materials found in favelas, with proper placement and attention to lighting and ventilation, resulting in a space with great environmental quality,” wrote ArchDaily on its website.
For Kdu, the award has a special meaning.
“I know my house is not the fanciest in the world, but it is a well-built shack,” he says with a smile on his face.
Kdu has lived there since 2020, along with two dogs, a cat, and over 60 plants.
“What the architects did is pure magic,” he adds. “We have only 66 square meters, but I have already hosted parties here for about 200 people.”
The project is by the architecture group Levante, which undertakes pro-bono or low-cost work in favelas.
From the outside, the house resembles others in the neighborhood but incorporates several elements that make it more robust and environmentally friendly, with “attention to lighting and ventilation,” said architect Fernando Maculan, who was responsible for the project.
An apparent difference compared to neighboring houses is in the arrangement of the bricks, which are laid horizontally—not vertically—and in staggered rows, adding solidity and improving insulation.
The project took eight months to complete—and, of course, a lot of work.
“The bricklayers were angry because they thought laying bricks this way took too much time,” Maculan said.
“And we had many problems getting the materials up there—it’s the last house in the alley, and I had to pay a lot to the workers who did the transport,” he said. The narrow, winding streets of the favela make it difficult for vehicles to pass.
The total cost of the work was R$ 150,000. The investment was worth it for several reasons: not only did the architecture award bring international recognition, but the house also helped Kdu fulfill a childhood dream.
“When I was a boy, I lived in a very modest and poorly insulated room. I was even stung by a scorpion—my sister was too.
“Winning this award after having suffered from architecture-related problems represents a great victory for me.”
Source: euronews.com
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