Four community architecture projects in Brazil promote social transformation

In 2021, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) published a survey on the availability of cultural and social facilities in Brazilian cities. The data revealed a worrying scenario: only 29.6% of municipalities had cultural and social equipment such as museums, and only 23.3% had theaters or performance halls, highlighting the scarcity of these spaces in the country.

In this context of scarcity, actions by volunteer groups or cooperatives, such as those involving women in Maranhão or volunteers in Bahia, by building their own community facilities, not only meet a material need but also claim a right that should be guaranteed as public policy.

This situation is not exclusive to Brazil, reflecting common challenges in several Latin American countries, characterized by territorial disparities and restricted access to cultural infrastructure. However, certain regional experiences show that well-defined public policies can reverse this trend. A notable example is Medellín, Colombia, which, after years of violence linked to drug trafficking, began intentionally investing in cultural infrastructure as a method of urban change. Starting in 2005, municipal investment in culture increased drastically, from 0.6% to 5%, which allowed for the implementation of Library Parks in historically vulnerable areas.

In Brazil, despite the existence of funding mechanisms, such as Cultura Viva and the National Aldir Blanc Policy, support for the cultural sector depends mainly on calls for proposals, partnerships, and incentive programs. However, these measures have proven insufficient to structurally solve the lack of cultural and social venues. Therefore, the creation and maintenance of many of these spaces still depend on collaboration between communities, universities, and private companies.

Architecture as a political tool

The political dimension of community architecture lies precisely in this reversal of roles. Faced with the insufficiency of the state apparatus, the construction of space becomes a collective endeavor carried out by the residents themselves, often in conjunction with other entities. Thus, these initiatives go beyond merely compensating for the absence of facilities; they reaffirm the right to the city and demonstrate the capacity of communities to modify their territories through organization and joint action.

The following details some examples developed in different regions of Brazil.

Social transformation projects in Brazil

"Sopão da Esperança" (Soup of Hope), started as a voluntary action during the pandemic and maintained by donations, provides meals and basic food baskets to approximately 600 people weekly in Juazeiro, Bahia, near the São Francisco River. Its structure reflects the project's social urgency: the use of concrete blocks eliminates the need for pillars and beams, speeding up construction and reducing costs. A unified roof, supported by metal trusses set back from the walls, ensures continuous ventilation, a direct response to the local heat. Furthermore, walls with spacing between bricks aid in air circulation. The central patio, located between the industrial kitchen and the support block, organizes the service flow and serves as the core of the project. The facades feature wavy paintings that visually mirror the curves of the river, connecting the architecture to the emotional landscape of the riverside residents.

The roofs intended for the Xingu Indigenous Park, in Mato Grosso do Sul, represent more than just an architectural object; they promote a dialogue between different construction knowledge systems. The NGO ISA conceived the project, opting not to replicate traditional structures, such as the oca, but rather adopting the veranda as a meeting point between the interior and the exterior, preserving the symbolic value of shade, which is crucial in the local culture. The construction methodology uses raw materials and low-maintenance elements, resulting from discussions between the architecture team, indigenous builders, and ancestral knowledge about climate and raw materials. The internal walls and partitions were left open so that the community could adapt them to its needs. Explanatory drawings sent previously to the village ensured autonomy in the execution of the work, resulting in an architecture without fixed ownership, designed to gather people under the same sky around collective life.

On the northern coast of São Paulo, within the Serra do Mar State Park, the Camburi Community Center was created in collaboration with the NGO Bamboostic to meet a direct request from the residents' association: a place for meetings, classes, and material storage that would also serve as a geographical point for the neighborhood. The building's design takes advantage of the prevailing wind coming from the sea, and the elevated roof, without perpendicular walls, ensures constant ventilation, vital for thermal comfort in the hot and humid climate. The construction also fostered a local eco-construction cooperative, which today trains other clients and generates income, adding to other activities such as community-based tourism, a women's collective bakery, and handicraft sales at the village entrance, thus activating a local economy around the space.

In Bom Jesus das Selvas, Maranhão, the expansion of the headquarters of the Cooperative of Women Producers of Cashew Nuts transformed a simple residence into a workplace and gathering place. This project arose from a participatory process with the community, prioritizing the use of locally available materials and techniques. The eight-hole ceramic block, arranged horizontally, became the main construction component, ensuring adequate ventilation for the tropical climate of the Northeast. Rotating doors with louvers enhance air exchange. Due to the lack of public infrastructure in the region, awnings and concrete benches were designed as invitations to meet. An internal patio, situated between the nut roasting and cracking phases, also functions as a drying area and, together with the external garden, establishes itself as the community's main meeting point.

archdaily.com.brJuly 31, 09:30

Architecture in Latin America: Focus on Resilience, Heritage, and Cultural Institutions This Month

Architecture in Latin America shows a growing trend of adaptation, whether in response to environmental risks, the reformulation of cultural institutions, or extending the lifespan of existing structures. Recent developments point to a regional dialogue focused on resilience, heritage preservation, and public space, conceiving architecture as an integral part of broader urban, social, and environmental ecosystems.

The narratives of this period illustrate how design is intrinsically linked to themes of identity, civic life, and long-term sustainability, ranging from the repercussions of strong earthquakes in Venezuela to discussions about the future of the National Museum of Ecuador.

Earthquakes in Venezuela Renew Debate on Seismic Resilience

Two seismic events that affected the northern coast of Venezuela at the end of June brought the issue of seismic resilience back to the center of Latin American architectural conversations. With recorded magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, the tremors caused extensive damage to homes, health units, transport networks, and public services, exposing the fragility of the aging real estate stock and interconnected urban systems.

Although comparisons with tremors that occurred simultaneously in Japan and Northern California have shown how stricter building regulations and preparedness can substantially reduce physical damage, the Venezuelan scenario underlined the need for lasting contributions to resilient infrastructure and urban planning. Beyond immediate humanitarian aid, these shocks serve as a warning that such occurrences reveal not only geological characteristics but also decades of choices made in architecture, engineering, and governmental policies that continue to define the recovery capacity of cities in the region.

National Museum of Ecuador Competition Highlights Civic Role of Architecture

The future National Museum (MuNA) of Ecuador emerged as a prominent theme in regional architecture this month, as the international competition evolved into a broader public debate on identity, architecture, and civic engagement.

After the announcement of the winning proposal by Studio Campo Baeza and Maoda, titled 'Echoes of the Sun,' the public debate prompted the organizers to implement an additional evaluation stage that merged jury deliberation with public participation. The process culminated in the selection of 'Living Strata,' a project led by SANAA in collaboration with Estudio A0, Caá Porá Arquitectura, Jerome Haferd Studio, and Taller Capital Landscape. This project was conceived as a civic landscape extending to Quito's La Carolina Park, integrating exhibition areas with courtyards, gardens, and public activities.

More than the result itself, the competition served to demonstrate how national museums continue to act as forums for discussing cultural identity, public space, and the social function of architecture throughout Latin America.

Latin America Looks to the Future Through the Legacy of the FIFA World Cup

With the approach of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the focus shifted to the architectural legacy of the tournament and the preparations already underway for the 2030 edition. In the Latin American context, Mexico consolidated its central position in global football by becoming the first country to host matches in three World Cups, combining the renovation of the Azteca Stadium with broader investments, such as the modernization of the Mexican Football Federation's High Performance Center.

Instead of focusing on new constructions, these improvements indicate how existing sports infrastructure can be adjusted to current operational and sustainability standards. Looking ahead, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will host the tournament back in South America by hosting the centenary opening games in 2030. Through stadium upgrades and greater investment in public infrastructure, sports architecture establishes itself as a component of long-term urban development strategies in the region.

Featured Projects

Feltrinelli Bookstore Montevideo / Toro Arquitectos

The firm Toro Arquitectos carried out the transformation of the historic Pablo Ferrando Building in Montevideo into the new Feltrinelli Bookstore, achieving a careful balance between restoration and the insertion of contemporary elements. The project kept intact heritage landmarks, such as the stained-glass skylight, the staircase, and the facade, while reorganizing the interior to optimize accessibility, circulation, and exhibition areas. Material additions were intentionally subtle, allowing the early 20th-century architecture to remain the main element while establishing a new cultural landmark in the city's historic center.

Mampara Building in Chile

Located in a residential neighborhood in Chile, the Mampara Building reinterprets the traditional configuration of domestic entry as a collective urban gesture. Developed by RR & PZ, the development combines commercial and office uses within a flexible concrete structure, organized around a fully transparent ground floor. Its openness to the street and adaptable internal arrangement position the building both as neighborhood infrastructure and as a modern reinterpretation of local architectural typologies.

High Performance Center in Mexico

Before the FIFA World Cup, Gensler finalized the remodeling of the Mexican Football Federation's High Performance Center, located in Mexico City. Instead of replacing the existing complex, the project promoted a reorganization and expansion of the facilities through a comprehensive master plan, incorporating training fields, sports science, wellness, accommodation, and administrative functions. Sustainable design strategies, improved flow, and versatile programming configure the campus as a long-term investment supporting the future of Mexican football after the tournament.

On the Radar

Dolores Olmedo Museum in Mexico

Manuel Cervantes Estudio presented the project for the new Dolores Olmedo Museum, which will be installed in the Second Section of Chapultepec Park, in Mexico City. Planned for the site of a former parking lot, the design prioritizes access for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport, while reinforcing the park's cultural and environmental value. Its composition of stepped volumes, facing north, was designed to maximize indirect natural light entry and energy efficiency, incorporating green roofs and landscaped terraces that integrate the building with the landscape.

The proposal aims to bring Diego Rivera's and Frida Kahlo's collections closer to the urban core, while also introducing a public square and viewing platforms at the top overlooking Chapultepec Park.

Exhibition in Monterrey

The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Monterrey (MARCO) inaugurated the exhibition 'Charles & Ray Eames: The Unusual Beauty of Common Things,' marking the first major solo exhibition dedicated to American designers in Mexico. The show brings together over 200 pieces, including furniture, photographs, films, archival materials, and multimedia installations, exploring how the Eames viewed design as a connected practice involving architecture, communication, visual culture, and daily life. The exhibition will be available until February 2027, offering a complete view of one of the most influential creative collaborations of the 20th century.

viagemeturismo.abril.com.brJuly 27, 22:00

Sesc promotes free tour on Brazilian modernity at Consolação Cemetery

Sesc Consolação will organize the tour titled Brazilian Modern Project in Consolação Cemetery on August 15th. This free activity is part of the 2026 Heritage Journey program.

Content of the Guided Tour

The route will be led by art historian Lisa Costa and researcher Victor Vigneron. He is dedicated to exploring how concepts of modernity and national identity in Brazil were shaped, using the history of one of the most relevant cemeteries in the city of São Paulo as a starting point.

During the guided visit, participants will have the opportunity to understand the role played by Consolação Cemetery in the changes that occurred in the urban, sanitary, and cultural areas between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period preceding the Modern Art Week of 1922.

Cultural Debates and Urbanism

The route also emphasizes the participation of artists, writers, and other figures buried there in debates about various projects for the country. By addressing themes such as visual arts, literature, and urbanism, the initiative aims to debate how the notion of a 'modern Brazil' was both constructed and questioned over this period.

Partnership and Registration

The activity is carried out in collaboration with the Historical Heritage Department of the Municipal Secretariat of Culture of São Paulo, as part of the Heritage Journey, an initiative focused on valuing the memory and history of the city through thematic itineraries. Registrations will be available starting July 29th at 2 p.m. on the Sesc portal, limited to 25 spots, filled according to registration order. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m., with a meeting point at 9 a.m. at Sesc Consolação, located at Rua Doutor Vila Nova, 245, Vila Buarque, and is recommended for those over 12 years old.