Knowing the Favela

The current paradigm of ‘favela integration’ in Rio de Janeiro requires that the favelas themselves become an object of knowledge. That is, favelas cariocas must be constructed as knowable before Continue reading →

The First 3 Things I Learned: What Were Yours?

Last week I was involved in the penultimate critique for a 4th year design studio. I love participating in critiques for the shear volume of creative outcomes I get exposed Continue reading →

Parks from many, parks for all

Recently, the Espacio Foundation published a new book, Interventions in Public Spaces in Sucre Municipality” (Intervenciones de espacios públicos en barrios del municipio Sucre). The book documents a program set Continue reading →

Urban development and social inclusion. The CAF award

Post by Silvia Soonets [Proyectos Arqui 5] on Caracas This week the CAF announced the results of the second international competition of Urban Development and Social Inclusion. I’m proud and Continue reading →

Marketing “3rd World” Thrift

In 2009 I was talking with a friend of ours in Santa Elena de  Uairén, Venezuela just North of the Brazilian border. While we talked he described visiting an American Continue reading →

New Ecological Park for Rocinha: Public Intervention Worth Bragging About

When I first visited the construction site of the Parque Ecológico da Rocinha I was asked to not share photos since the government entities involved in its planning and construction Continue reading →

Public Space-Public Investment

It’s summertime where I live. And I get an extra dose of seasonal exuberance from my living room window into East City Park where the family reunions picnic, church groups Continue reading →

Another Periphery II

In my last entry Another Periphery I introduced Igaraí, a rural farming town in the state of São Paulo and the Guilherme Zaneti public housing complex located just outside the Continue reading →

Formal vs. Informal Does it mean anything?

Post by Silvia Soonets [Proyectos Arqui 5] on Caracas Adriana’s last post, More Definitions: Informality vs. Informalities, made me think, once more, about the meaning of informality. I’m not talking Continue reading →

Sambinha Architecture, Biophysics, and Cheap Energy

To my friends and family who are unfamiliar with my town, I’ve often described it by asking them to picture the US in the pre-interstate highway era. It’d take about Continue reading →

Architeture vs. Politics: Is it possible for them to agree?

Post by Silvia Soonets [Proyectos Arqui 5] on Caracas Last year, a friend invited us to participate in a self-build housing program. It was then, that we heard, for the first time, Continue reading →

Favelas, Foreigners and Due Diligence

If you haven’t seen some iteration or other of the “KONY 2012″ campaign yet, you have lived a dearly rare life in America over the last few months. Likely as Continue reading →