The project proposes the replacement of 44 social housing located in the central area of Villa Fatima and the construction of a Center for Social & Vocational Training in order to provide a source of income for the locals, based on a sustainable community development. The aim of the proposal was to keep the streets and alleys and interfere as minimum as possible. The idea was to maintain the identity of the village, through their well-known paths which are part of the main structure of the place. Thereafter, open spaces were created in the same location once occupied by the houses that were replaced, so people could meet and interact more actively. The application of sustainable concepts are not only related to materials but also to social issues. In this sense the proposed layout for the houses tend to create pleasant spaces among them, thereby providing a better interaction between dwellers. All the houses have the possibility of extension, in order to house more people. Several urban interventions have been proposed such as enlargement of some specifyc alleys, so vehicles like ambulances or fire department trucks could access the plots properly. Special treatment was given for the area around the creek, with the construction of retaining walls on its borders with walkways for pedestrians and placing of vegetation on its edges to help avoiding erosion. Grids were designed on the borders of some sidewalks not only to drain the rainwater, but also to capture it for residential use.
The buildings were designed to seek the use of low cost materials and an implementation of an easy construction system, thus they could be built by the owners themselves and keep the maintenance cost lower through time. The ceramic block and the structural slab system called “Vigota Tavela” were chosen because of their low cost production and also as a way to have a clean site. The houses are also supplied by a rain water tank for flush and washing purposes. A green roof was used to improve the thermal comfort of the house as well as to provide a particular garden for the dweller, so he can plant and collect his own food.
