Estudo de Caso - Conjunto Habitacional de Heliópolis

Summary

The Heliópolis housing complex in São Paulo is a project that transformed an informal settlement into organized urban housing through a reurbanization initiative by the city's housing department. The design focuses on maximizing space with strategic layout choices, including internal courtyards, pedestrian bridges, and flexible apartment configurations. The complex aims to foster community interaction while ensuring natural ventilation and lighting. The project emphasizes sustainable, cost-effective construction with a mix of materials and vibrant colors to create an identity for the space, while meeting the needs of families of varying sizes and adapting to local climate conditions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Heliópolis housing complex is located in São Paulo, Brazil, and was part of a reurbanization program aimed at relocating families from temporary housing in informal settlements.
• 😀 The project involved the realignment of multiple families based on census data to create a more organized, formal living space in an area known for its mixed formal-informal urbanization.
• 😀 The design focused on creating an organized space with two main blocks that serve as key structural elements, providing circulation and organization of the area.
• 😀 A central courtyard was established for social interaction, mobility, and integration, offering recreational facilities and a communal space for residents.
• 😀 The buildings were designed with consideration of both functional and social aspects, including areas for small businesses and community engagement like libraries and children’s spaces.
• 😀 Large openings in the structure, such as the portals, allowed for natural ventilation and visual connections between the interior and the surrounding public spaces, enhancing security and openness.
• 😀 The project's economic constraints and the absence of elevators led to the utilization of topography to create a multilevel structure, with accessible passageways and bridges connecting blocks.
• 😀 The 420 apartments were designed to be flexible and adaptable, catering to families with different sizes (from 5 to 11 members), with layouts that could be adjusted based on need.
• 😀 The design strategy maximized the use of natural light and airflow, positioning buildings to optimize sunlight exposure, particularly on the facades and balconies facing the morning sun.
• 😀 The use of color in the design played an important role in creating visual movement and a sense of identity, with vibrant tones like orange and blue enhancing both aesthetic and functional elements of the buildings.

Q & A

What is the location of the Heliópolis housing complex?

The Heliópolis housing complex is located in São Paulo, in the Cidade Nova Deli neighborhood, in the southern zone of the city, situated at the entrance of the community near the intersection of Avenida Comandante Tailon and Avenida das Juntas Provisórias.

What was the main objective of the Heliópolis housing project?

The main objective of the Heliópolis housing project was to relocate families living in temporary housing and improve the conditions of a favela through the reurbanization program by the São Paulo City Hall's Housing Secretariat.

How were the families in the original housing complex relocated?

The families living in the original temporary housing were relocated to new spaces with the help of the city hall, based on the results of a census that identified the profiles of the residents of Heliópolis.

What is the significance of the internal courtyard in the housing design?

The internal courtyard is a space designed for mobility and integration within the blocks. It provides a private area for residents to circulate and includes leisure activities such as fitness equipment and recreational facilities.

How did the architect Arthur perceive the challenges of maintaining social spaces in housing projects?

Arthur observed that, unlike other social housing projects where courtyards were often neglected, the Heliópolis courtyard is always occupied and well-maintained, indicating strong community engagement.

What role do the pórticos (porticos) play in the design of the Heliópolis housing complex?

The pórticos are large openings that serve as the main pedestrian entrances to the complex. They provide continuity of the visual space, enhance security, and ensure natural ventilation in the central courtyard.

How was the issue of limited budget and no elevators addressed in the design?

The architects utilized the site's topography and a regulation allowing for flexible height calculations, enabling the construction of buildings with up to 13 floors (above and below ground). This allowed for maximum utilization of the construction budget without needing elevators.

What is the importance of the passarelas (walkways) in the Heliópolis housing project?

The passarelas are metallic walkways that connect the blocks of apartments. These walkways facilitate access between the buildings and help maximize the use of the land, contributing to the building's functionality and connecting various spaces.

What types of apartments are included in the Heliópolis complex and how are they designed?

The Heliópolis complex includes 420 apartments, each 50 square meters, designed to be flexible. The layouts vary based on family needs, and there are two main types: one with two bedrooms and a balcony, and another adapted to smaller kitchens and adjusted room sizes.

How does the building's design address natural lighting and ventilation?

The buildings are designed to maximize natural light and ventilation. The apartments have windows on two sides, with one side facing east for morning sunlight and the other side positioned to optimize airflow, taking into account the prevailing winds from the northeast and southeast.