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DESIGN TOOLS FOR SOCIAL HOUSING
Fifth Design Tool: Employ Low Technology and Cheap and Light Materials
Figure 37. The structure takes responsability on self construction. The employment of low technology, cheap and light materials is essential to enable the self-contruction strategy, which is much more efficient. The basic compact unit, except for its structural elements, must allow people to expand and adpat their units by spending the minimum of their income and make the the process easier as possible. ACTORS: Construction companies, architects and urban planners.
that the expansion occurs with low cost, which means, cheap materials and low technology. According to a recent survey of 6 communities, 95% of favela homes are built of brick, concrete, and reinforced steel. 75% have tile floors. Residents put decades-worth of income and physical labor into the construction and consolidation of their homes. Peek inside and you’ll not only see the basics of electricity, running water and indoor plumbing, but a large-screen television and, in over 44% of cases, a computer.1
CONSEQUENCES: The incremental social housing, which will be expanded and customized by the residents, have to apply the materials which people with low income can afford. Otherwise people won’t be able to improve or customize their units. Therefore, the project should enable 3 A City Planner Responds: What is a Favela? by Theresa Williamson
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