M P
MATERIAL
POLITICS
[Architecture Research Practice for]
Radical infrastructures and socio-spatial change
FACILITATING ARCHITECTURE
A social housing prototype for a periphery in conflict
Main Materials
Shipping containers
Timber palettes
Steel beams
Rammed earth
Sand
Site
Nuevo Alberdi, Rosario, Argentina
Designer
Eira Capelán
From an examination of the process applied by the social Movement Giros when materialising projects in the Nuevo Alberdi, Rosario, this Masters of Architecture thesis design project sets out a parallel methodology whereby three stepping stones -Practice, Solidarity and Knowledge- are taken as fundamental to how the Movement transmits the resonance of their socio- spatial engagement when proposing broader alternative political models. Returning to Argentina in 2014 incorporated further knowledge of Giros’ projects into the thesis, leading to the development of an informed design brief for a typo- logical exercise in social housing for Nuevo Alberdi.
The subsequent site analysis seeks to identify what the design parameters of a social housing scheme on the contested territory of Nuevo Alberdi would be. Therefore, the main conflicts that face the settlers of precarious neighbourhoods of Rosario when constructing a dwelling in the present day climate of social unrest in the city are explored:
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issues of land tenure confrontation between private developers and settlers
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an abundance in basic urban services which are under-distributed by unequal infrastructural improvements
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the constant threat of firearm violence as a result of the raging narcotics war in the city's peripheries
Collaborators
Neighbours of Nuevo Alberdi
Movimiento Giros
Dr Leandro Minuchin
Robert Hyde
Tom Jefferies
To the dissection of these three conflicts, the site analysis adds a collection of knowledges regarding the techno-popular construction practices present in the neighbourhood. Through precedent studies, post occupancy evaluation of existing dwellings and material assessment of Giros’ current housing prototype in Nuevo Alberdi -made out of shipping containers. In this way, the the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of local praxis are juxtaposed with the political resonance methodology and the process of facilitating architecture begins to circulate.
FULL CONSTRUCTION
MANUAL!
 Consulting on material knowledgeConstruction expert Ruben, who has lived in Nuevo Alberdi for over 60 years, converses with us on material applicability for a new social housing prototype in the neighbourhood. |  Local precedentsThe social movement Giros has experience in constructing homes with damaged shipping containers in Nuevo Alberdi. |  Local knowledgesAs part of the understanding of techno-popular knowledges, a post occupancy evaluation of the existing containers was made in consultation with the dwellers of the same |
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 If you were to make your house...?Neighbours and activists alike were consulted as to the materialisation of their home, should they have 3 shipping containers each at their disposal. |  If you were to make your house...?The use of tangible architectural tools, such as sketch models, facilitated the discussion with the collaborating neighbours, highlighting the visual power of material supports in communicating needs and future imaginations |  Analysing Consultation Results |
 Analysing Consultation Results |  Analysing Consultation Results |  Analysing Consultation Results |
 Construction manualHaving collected a large catalogue of materials, constructive practices, social conflicts and spatial responses to the housing situation in Nuevo Alberdi, a detailed construction manual was produced to facilitate a social housing typology. |  Manual ImplementationOnce the manual had been detailed, its components were tested in the design of a model social home for the particular needs of a certain family. It works! |