Discover the 4 m² house renovated by Ester Carro, in Paraisópolis

In 2022, the UN released alarming data: more than 1 billion people live in slums and precarious housing on the planet . Without urban planning, many cosmopolitan cities leave the poorest populations on the sidelines because in practice there are no affordable housing options. Slums and communities are spaces intended for the less fortunate. This is the reality of the home of Francisco da Silva , better known as “Tiquinho”, a resident of Jardim Colombo , a neighborhood in Paraisópolis , and a 58-year-old recycling worker. Measuring 4 m², Tiquinho’s tiny house was in extremely unsanitary conditions. In addition to the lack of running water and sewage (there was no bathroom), the space had leaks, debris and lack of ventilation. See what the house was like here . But the seemingly invisible house did not go unnoticed by the architect, activist and president of the Fazendinhando NGO , Ester Carro . The architectural project created by Ester involved the community, attracted donations and changed not only the house but also its surroundings. In addition to the bathroom, with shower, sink and toilet (plumbing project), which was installed with the donation of the area below the stairs by the neighbor, the house received treatment for leaks, adjustments to the electrical system, plaster, paint and flooring, as well as a "Santos Dumond-style" staircase designed by the architect and a mezzanine to accommodate the bed.

All the renovation, carpentry and expansion were the result of Ester's work, who since January has been looking for partners to make the project viable. Donations came from individuals and companies . In addition to Fazendeiras (women from the community trained to work in construction), Gilvan Barbosa and another group of residents participated in the project to carry out the work. SUM Engenharia donated materials and Plataforma Caos Planejado joined the group to activate collaborations. CASACOR, which donated the floors and the wooden cabinets in the kitchen/living room, also contributed part of the resources for the renovation and expansion. The house, ready, was delivered on Monday (September 11). "It is with great joy and a mix of different feelings that I share with much love a little of the result of #CASADOTIQUINHO , the smallest brick house in Brazil! The house that used to be only ^4m2 was renovated and expanded! Tiquinho now has a real home, with comfort, dignity and aesthetic quality! What seemed impossible became possible with the TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE and the HANDS of different people! Size is just a detail, it is in this Architecture that I believe, an architecture for EVERYONE!", says Ester Carro on social media. The photos were provided by the photographer: @onenoir_photo Meet the work team led by Esther Carro and the partners who helped make this project possible: Gilvan Barbosa, Taina Cesario, Maria Gorete, Maria Silvia Ferreira and Samara de Jesus and the supporters SUM Engenharia, Caos Planejado, União Jardim Colombo, CASACOR, RPN Cobogó, Kelly Farias, Fernanda Aidar and Rodrigo Faustino de Jesus.