Maré Island (Brazil) 2019
University of Newcastle, Australia / Ateliervivo (Independent)
A week long design-build and health orientated project in the Bananeiras Quilombola (Afro-Brazilian community) on Maré Island near Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The project is part of a series of educational trips coordinated by the Peter Stutchbury Foundation that aims to address the health and well-being concerns of remote and autonomous communities through architecture. Students and facilitators were hosted within the community and worked alongside local residents throughout the process.
A timber columned structure with metal roof was constructed adjacent to an existing crèche creating a shaded and ventilated outdoor space to facilitate educational and community activities as well as water harvesting. A play area built using found objects in addition to murals and garden beds which were created to strengthen the surrounding space as a community hub.
Health and well-being activities run by local health specialists were offered to the local community included massages, clay face masks, acupuncture and dental checkups. An art therapy project involving the local community creating clay representations of the relationship with the sea contributed to an overarching theme of creativity, well-being and connection to the place.
Through many collective contributions the project presented rich opportunities for exchange helping to develop ties and trust to pursue future projects together.
Local Community leaders: Centro de Apoio Aos Filhos e Filhas de Marisqueiras: Marizelha Carlos Lopes (Nega), Sidiana Menezes Lopes, Carla de Paula Lopes, Rejane Lopes, Anelita Gomes dos Santos, Rita Maria.
Coordination: Peter Stutchbury Architecture Foundation: Peter Stutchbury, Fernanda Cabral, Flavia Cabral
Local Community Health: Nelson Estevão, Diane Richardson, Marcela Vasconcelos, Camila Sarmento
Civil engineering consultant: Bronte Stutchbury
Construction Support: Jarrah Wells, Kieren Moxey, Gil Mello
Art therapy project: Rena Shein, Maya Hendler
Tutors: Ateliervivo: Michael Phillips, Natan Nigro
Students: University of Newcastle Architecture and Construction Management students: Daniel Watts, Kyle Newell, Daniel Jenkins, Georgia Browning, Amber Penn, Jordyn Bush, Curtis Lang, Emilie Winter, William Bell, Michael Anderson, Zac Sheffield, Penelope Cowell, Lochie Southgate, Tyler Carroll, James Pierce.
Research Question: Structures to support children’s health and wellbeing.
Univ. Newcastle Australia, Brazil, Ateliervivo, Architecture, Days, Permanent, 11-50, Undergraduate, Self-funded, +, Sponsorship, Construction, Collaboration, Extra-curricular, Students with tutor
