Casa Depósito: Empowering Informal Building Culture in Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

Informal settlements, such as the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are manifestations of community strength and resilience. Their built environment, building culture and material use speak to opportunities of integrated cooperative sustainability. Casa Depósito illustrates how architecture can be used as an active agent in self-sustainable upgrades with site selection principles and building technology. Established as a cooperative institution, Casa Depósito provides a space to bring communities and governments together and facilitate social capital, skill-transfer, and self-sufficiency. In addressing public space and public services, Casa Depósito provides informal residents institutional autonomy of their built environment.