Out Of Sight: A Sustainable Social Building by Luan Fontes

Revitalizing Rio de Janeiro's Frades Island with Innovative, Sustainable Design

The inspiration for 'Out Of Sight' stemmed from the clear need for infrastructure requalification in the city. The region's potential for ecotourism and research has been hindered by a lack of infrastructure, planning, and dissemination, deeply affecting its social, political, and economic base. Fontes, in collaboration with Mariela Salgado, sought to address these issues through a design that respects the environment and reignites the sense of belonging among the local population.

The project was conceived over six months and is estimated to be completed in four months. It involves the insertion of 42 containers to serve two needs: a dance school and three emergency social housing units. The design prioritizes fast, accessible construction with easily insertable materials, reflecting a deep understanding of the urgent needs of the residents.

Steel was chosen as the primary construction material to ensure the build was light, practical, safe, and environmentally friendly. The use of container structures also significantly reduces the construction and removal time of the buildings, resulting in a total built space of 620m.

Fontes' design is not just about providing physical structures; it's about fostering community interaction and preserving cultural heritage. The project, in conjunction with local political movements, emphasizes the need for government and societal care towards the remaining population of Frades Island. It highlights the importance of access to culture and decent housing, and the preservation of the ancestral heritage of families that have inhabited the area since the 19th century.

Despite the challenges of a tight conception and execution timeframe, a limited budget, and difficult access to the location, Fontes' design stands as a beacon of sustainable and social design. It is a testament to the transformative power of architecture when it is thoughtfully and innovatively applied to address societal needs.