urbz Brasil on its inception, approach, methodology in São Paulo

The start of a collaborative initiative that seeks to interweave technical and scientific aspects of architects with knowledge of the local mason and the lifestyle of inhabitants. 

In collaboration with local pedreiro Ataide, the urbz team helps build a house in Paraisoplis right from digging the foundations. 

Pedreiero Ataide opens up his house in Sao Paulo's homegrown neighbourhood, Paraisopolis to architecture students to learn the intricacies of on-site construction and renovation. 

The connections we evoke between our work in Dharavi, Mumbai and Paraisopolis, Sao Paulo seem to have became a distinct new arc in this multi-city story. 

Our street exhibition in Brazil mashes up landscapes from Dharavi and Paraisopolis leading residents to guess which part of the image is their neighbourhood. 

A Paraisopolis-Dharavi Institute of Urbanology to be held next year, where architects and public servants come and learn from residents.