SOCIAL HOUSING ON THE RIVER: The Bode Community - B.Arch final thesis
(Author: Bruno Tinoco / Advisor: Ana Rolim)
The project consists of a social housing proposal for a community named Bode, located in the Pina Bay area, in the City of Recife, NE Brazil. It is a critical response to the current municipal solution to relocate the dwellers from their original and diverse location to a standard "H" block housing complex which does not relate to their way of living in houses on-stilts, actively connected to the water.
Based on analysing the existing way of living and housing units, the study proposes typical domestic modules which are able to expand per users' needs. The constraints are parametricized in order to allow for variation without interfering with provision of natural light, cross-ventilation and shading, crucial aspects while designing in tropical climates, such as Brazil.
 Overall view from the water |  Existing site conditions viewed from a boat |  The ongoing project to relocate the dwellers does not relate to their way of living in a close relationship with the river |
|---|---|---|
 The proposed design strategies |  Existing viewpoints and geometric patterns define the proposed grid |  Overall form generating derives from interpreting the built massing in the site |
 Overall volumetric proposal |  Parametrizing aggregation patterns to assure proper natural lighting, cross-ventilation and shading |  The proposed massing unfolds |
 Parametrization process - limits of aggregation are defined |  Face division developed through parametrization |  The single-cube housing typology |
 Two-cube housing typology |  L-shape double-cube housing typology |  L-shape double-cube housing typology |
 The desing allows for expansion possibilities in all housing typologies |  Ground floor plan |  First floor plan |
 Common areas |  Proposed structural system |  Overall building section |
 Proposed façade system |  Overall view from ground floor deck area |  The proposal offers diversity as it is open to variation |
 Collective spaces alternate with private spaces assuring the vitality of the community |