Brazil's Favela Shack Wins House of the Year in International Architecture Competition

The popular favela shack in Brazil bagged an international architecture competition award, being named the "house of the year."

The owner of the favela shack, 32-year-old artist Kdu don Anjos, lives in Aglomerado da Serra favela, which is at the bottom of a hill in the city of Belo Horizonte, according to Al Jazeera News.

Dos Anjos told the media outlet that he is very proud that his house won the prize as most of the news about the favela shack involves "violence and homes destroyed by landslides."

He then went on to say that at that moment, his home "is on top of the world."

Dos Anjos built the favela shack in 2017, with the house described as well-ventilated and welcoming a lot of natural light.

He noted that the prize has special significance after he founded a cultural center in the area. The artist said that his house is "not the most chic in the world," but it is "a well-built shack."

Dos Anjos has been living in the area since 2020 with his two dogs, a cat, and more than 60 plants.

'House of the Year' Award

The ArchDaily Building of the Year Awards has over 4,500 projects nominated across 15 different categories, including residential, commercial, and public.

The award considers the projects' innovation, sustainability, design, and functionality.

Eligible projects would have to be all completed buildings published for the first time between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, under categories for an award in Houses, Housing, Healthcare Architecture, Industrial Architecture, Educational Architecture, and Sports Architecture, among many others.

Other housing winners include the terrace house in Australia, established in 2021. The terrace house building had 20 homes in total, with a mix of two- and three-bedroom homes. It also has 55 bike parks and three commercial spaces at ground level.

Dos Anjos also bagged the "House of the Year" award with his favela "shack's" classic block of eight holes.

Coletivo LEVANTE created the building, with the favela being the group's second work.

Brazil's Favela Shack

ArchDaily noted that the design of the favela shows a "constructive model that uses common materials in the slums."

Dos Anjos said that what the architects of the building did is "pure magic," noting how the space barely has 66 square meters but has held parties with close to 200 people.

The project leader, Fernando Maculan, said that the structure looks like its neighbors, but it has several features that make it both "sturdier and more respectful of the environment," especially its lighting and ventilation.

Maculan added that the project took eight months and cost $43,000, with the masons being angry as they thought the way the bricks were laid "was very time-consuming."

The architect also noted the difficulty of delivering the materials up the stairs, being that it was the last house on the alley.

Favelas in Brazil are usually referred to as property in slums or shantytowns in larger cities of the country.

Britannica noted that some of the best-known favelas are found in Rio de Janeiro.

The area has also been reported to be dominated by gangs involved in illegal drug trafficking and rampant violence.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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