The Next Generation 1st prize for Latin America went to Buoyant Housing in Brazil – Riverside living and community complex by Danielle Gregorio, student at the University of São Paulo, Brazil.

The riverside residents of Manaus live in a flood zone. The project proposes a type of social housing adapted to the local conditions, which is inspired by traditional stilt and floating house typologies. The complex includes a community center for cultural and leisure activities that aims to build social cohesion. It consists of a floating level for fishing and leisure activities, a level for collective commercial and cultural purposes, and a level for apartments. The project relies on locally sourced materials and makes best use of natural resources. Rainwater is harvested and used. Shading and cross-ventilation enhance the indoor climate.

“The project incorporates local architecture and design features so that the building is in harmony with the people and the natural landscape,” explains prize winner Danielle Gregorio, student of architecture at the University of São Paolo. This approach is also appreciated by the jury, which praises the project for being responsive to the climate and coherent with Amazonian culture. It shows a deep awareness of how the environmental impact of interventions can be minimized. “This project found the perfect scale of intervention and the ideal mix of social and material priorities, and natural impact,” says Marilyne Andersen: “It’s feasible, respectful, and just right.”

Media Release (English) – Latin America: Responses to pressing challenges

Comunicado de Prensa (Spanish) – Latinoamérica: Respuestas a desafíos urgentes