Travelling the world like a traveler differs a lot from travelling the world like a Tourist. A traveler enjoys the story of the Place, the tourist travels the world to escape their daily routine. The memory of the travel is always attached to that one special place. That place gives the person a lifetime memory.
The Kdu dos Anjos, i.e., founder of Lá da Favelinha, aimed to refurbish the unfinished building that had housed the Cultural Center since 2015. The construction was initially started by his parents to generate rental income through small apartment units. However, Kdu’s parents believed in his vision and worked hard to help him materialize an independent Cultural Center in that building. The project took on a distinctive identity by adopting a textile solution for the facade and roof. Seamstresses from the favela, who also participated in the upcycling workshop and founded the favela fashion brand REMEXE, sewed and prepared the screens.
About Lá da Favelinha:
The completion and expansion of the community center brought about significant changes. The ground floor was directly accessible from the street and was transformed into the “Favelinha Shopping Center”. The intermediate floor underwent extensive renovations to accommodate sanitary facilities and workspaces, while the rooftop was converted into a versatile area for various activities.
In front of the cultural center, a parking lot was collaboratively designed with young people from the favela, using recycled materials from school desks provided by the municipal public education network. Every internal space is infused with vibrant colors, creating a scenic architecture that celebrates dancers, models, entrepreneurs, and artists who view Favelinha as a gateway to the world.
The cultural center is Nestled in the Aglomerado da Serra favela in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Lá da Favelinha which represents the beauty of art and community-driven change. The cultural center was Founded in 2014, this community space has evolved into a vibrant hub where creativity, culture, and social impact intersect and meet the human brain. Through workshops, performances, and entrepreneurial opportunities, Lá da Favelinha cultural center provides a safe and empowering environment for residents, especially youth, to develop their skills and build brighter futures.
Lá da Favelinha was the brainchild of local artists and social activists with a vision to transform the community through art, education, and cultural exchange. Presently, it has become a place for people to gather, learn, and express themselves creatively. The center offers a variety of programs, including:
- Classes in samba, hip-hop, funk, and other forms of Brazilian dance and music allow participants to connect with their heritage and express themselves artistically.
- Lá da Favelinha has its clothing brand, called Favelinha, which promotes sustainable fashion made from upcycled materials. The brand provides a platform for local designers and tailors to showcase their work and talent.
- The center offers guidance on starting and managing businesses, marketing and helping residents find economic opportunities within their community.
- By offering English and other language classes, as well as tutoring services, the center empowers youth to expand their horizons and improve their educational outcomes.
The Impact on the Community:
Lá da Favelinha plays an essential role in empowering the Aglomerado da Serra community. The center provides:
- By offering positive activities and fostering a sense of belonging, the center helps keep young people away from the negative influences that can sometimes be present in underserved areas and guides them towards a skilled path.
- The center’s initiatives, such as the Favelinha fashion brand, help community members gain practical skills and earn income, fostering a sense of self-reliance.
- By celebrating local art forms, Lá da Favelinha reinforces pride in favela culture, breaking down stereotypes and showing the world the creative power of these communities.
Visitor Experience:
Visitors to Lá da Favelinha can immerse themselves in Brazilian culture and experience the energy of a thriving community. Here’s what visitors can expect:
- Enjoy live music and dance performances that showcase the talent and cultural heritage of the community.
- Engage in hands-on workshops to learn about local craftsmanship, sustainable fashion, and artistic expression.
- Get a closer look at life in the favela through guided tours that offer authentic insights into the challenges and resilience of the community.
Lá da Favelinha offers travelers a unique chance to go beyond the typical tourist spots and experience the real, unfiltered or raw side of Brazil. By visiting, tourists can support community initiatives, learn about Brazilian favela culture, and contribute to social change. It’s an opportunity to witness how grassroots organizations are transforming lives through creativity, resilience, and the spirit of unity.
Performance:
The building housing Centro Cultural Lá da Favelinha has become an iconic landmark in Favela da Serra, standing out with its vibrant and contrasting presence in the neighborhood. While the comparison doesn’t aim for any programmatic or scale equivalence, it reflects the symbolic value that the Centro Cultural Lá da Favelinha holds for this specific community. It’s a place where people can meet, recognize themselves and their talent, seek learning, support, and clarification, discover and express themselves, and exercise their freedom and dignity as citizens. The efforts of Coletivo Levante are rooted in the creation of collaborative networks, bringing together architects, professionals from various fields, favela residents, and public and private institutions to realize each project. The goal is to amplify the strengths and values already established in places like Favelinha through architecture. The impact extends beyond the building itself, reaching the entire favela territory and fostering a sense of belonging, empowerment, and pride among the local population. Through the various activities it hosts and promotes, the cultural center serves as a bridge connecting the favela with other parts of the city and the world.
Reference:
https://uni.xyz/journal/community-driven-cultural-center-design-
