The organic growth of the settlement of Paraisopolis can be found in all its successive stages. People settle starting with the materials that are less durable and easiest to get. Wood and metallic panels dominate the newest parts. The next step in improving the house is to add shutters and doors.
In the case of paraisopolis, the most common initial types are aluminium shutters wooden panel doors. Successively properly produced doors and glass windows are added. The panel materials might also be painted or covered in slurry coating. Perforated bricks are the next step, substituting the panel materials.
When the addition of an upper floor is desired, concrete columns are cast in between bricks and a cast concrete or a prefab metallic staircase is added as well. The upper floor is made using prefabricated floor beams (similar to a part of a Dutch breedplaatvloer), in between which either polystyrene foam or ceramic bricks are placed, and on top of which concrete is cast.
The later succession in the favela materialisation is the addition of better windows and doors, the cladding of the facade with tiles or stucco, and much more various elements such as balcony railings and facade systems. Eventually, whole buildings might be substituted by concrete cast buildings.
Within the whole neighbourhood, we can see this entire succession of materials going from the initial stages in the lower, risky or lateral areas, to the most developed and sometimes even formal building along the high streets that are part of the 200 x 100 m grid. Over here we can find eventually the extraordinary designs of the Assemblea de Deus church buildings and more consolidated economic activities.
Day 2 07/04/09 Paraisópolis
These successive layers of construction are very interesting to notice (as the pictures you've taken) and are also related to the social condition of the dwellers: I like to think that they show us the social stratification that exists even in a poor area, like a slum.
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