Through
CASACOR ’s exhibitions throughout Latin America, the public has access to the best of what is being done in
architecture today. And as valuable as the moments spent contemplating the environments created by the continent’s greatest names in
interior design are,
Stephanie Ribeiro and Wesley Lemos , architects on the CASACOR roster, remember that architectural projects throughout Brazil come in numerous shapes – and sizes. Stephanie and Wesley were the experts invited by
The New York Times to discuss the
colonial legacies and vestiges of slavery that persist in the architecture of Brazilian homes. For the article "37 square feet that reveal Brazil's racist past," the
professionals analyzed the small areas in
homes that were historically designated for domestic workers
— colloquially called "maid's quarters," Stephanie specifies. "This debate is super important and I was very happy that The New York Times pointed it out. Architecture has the power to
materialize the reality and inequalities of society; we have to have this critical sense", says the architect. As she explains in an interview with the New York newspaper, the room with its precarious structure and few square meters reinforces the exploitative idea that domestic workers must be at the service of their bosses at all times, sleep on the job and give up their personal lives. "This originates from the dynamics of slavery", she says.
In new buildings, such areas previously used for service are being eliminated, and in older buildings they are being transformed into storage areas, closets or
home offices . "But it is crucial to remember that the relationships between employers and employees, such as day laborers, still carry traces of the colonial past. This
is not only reflected in architecture , but permeates various social spheres," Wesley points out. The architect emphasizes the importance of using
architecture to benefit society , breaking with the colonial legacies tied to society. "In my projects, my goal is to show that it is possible to develop healthy relationships within a home, avoiding any trace of servile dependence," he states. A visible example at CASACOR, according to Wesley, is
the use of technology : "It reduces the time spent on household chores and allows for a less difficult routine for both the professionals responsible for home care and the residents."
Read the full New York Times report here.
