The idea for the project presented here, germinated during a longer stay in Rio de Janeiro. A variety of personal experiences, as well as the life and complex environment of this city, provided the appropriate stimulus. The narrow path between creativity, the laws and traditions of Brazil, European perception and the necessity of thinking ones way into an alien culture, was a major challenge.

The objective was to design a creative training-center in Lapa, a district of Rio de Janeiro. The project, taking into account existing problems and current events, should create a meeting place that functions as an interface so that many people can communicate and interact. The participants of the ‘creative factory’ develop their own abilities and possibilities. This should also lead to architectural expression ...

The planned 'creative factory' is to be located in the heart of Lapa, a district of Rio de Janeiro ... a place characterized by creativity and art. Lapa is a district that attracts many people. On weekends a broad range of cultural diversity is on offer. This fact should be reflected in the planned building, it being used as a school during the day and in evenings and at weekends for cultural and social events.
Lying near the metro and a bus station the site is highly frequented by the inhabitants of Rio. It is a meeting place within sight of the planned project. The building for the training school will be architecturally conspicuous on this site. A new building inspired by the traditions and conformities of the city and its inhabitants. The 'cultural corridor' and its handbook ,Corredor Cultural' of the ,Preifeitura da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro', formed the basis of the planning

The 'creative factory' offers the opportunity to train in the performing and visual arts and techniques. The participants of the project can develop their own abilities and possibilities. This is also expressed architecturally in terms of growth and change ...

The building consists of two fixed wings with a connecting segment of concrete. The facade is constructed in the historical style of the surrounding environs. Behind this the new building begins. The modern part of the building already begins, however atop the ground floor display windows and consists of a variable scaffolding flowing into the building. In addition to the entrance-wing, there is a functional-wing with workshop, computer rooms etc…

Inside, the U is bordered by a steel frame, which is flexibly playable. Thus, it is variably utilisable, thus incorporating the idea of growth and variability. The framework is worked and shaped. It is used for brainstorming. The materials used are inexpensive and often to be found in Rio de Janeiro, such as steel scrap and recycled building materials. A variety of disposable products, such as egg cartons, cardboard, car windows, soup cans, old sails and plastic, are used as architectural design elements.
This created a playful way to directly reference the social differences in Lapa and the surrounding area. The creativity of the users of the building is the flux as mediator between the different social groups. People of every social level are to be involved in the project and brought together for the purpose of exchange, work and communication. The project has the perspective of ongoing development, of change and growth. Created is a place of creativity, learning, work and life, which brings people together and this contributes to a merger

Particular attention is paid to the large window, through which the desired symbiosis of place with the environment is put on display. Therein temporary facade elements are hung on the principle of the clothes-line, typical of southern climes, using a steel rope. They serve as advertising and presentation, as well as protection from rain and sun.

The idea, to use disposable products, as an architectural design element is not new. The ideas and the final design of the project were preceded by lengthy and adventurous research. Valuable information and inspiration for this project was obtained from the literature cited below. Referring to e.g. ‘A showroom for Kvadrat’ in Stockholm / Germany and ‘Luna Rossa team base' in Valencia / Spain.

In the course of planning similar projects were investigated on the possible course structure, funding and design, among others the ‚Escolar Fábrica de Espectaculo‘, ‚Elemental Chile in Iquique‘, ‚Favela Painting‘, ‚Celula Urbana Jacarezinho‘ and located in the project vicinity ‚Escardaria Selaron‘ should be mentioned.

Prefeitura da cidade do Rio de Janeiro: Como recuperar, reformar ou construir seu imóvel no Corredor Cultural

Sylvie Krüger, textile Architecture

Haupt- Verlag; Françoise Tellier-Loumagne: Inspirationen für Textildesign

IOS Press; Mick Eekhout, Fons Verheijen, Ronald Visser: Cardboard in Architecture

On the "Summary 2011," the annual exhibition of the Bauhaus-University Weimar for selected works from the fields of architecture, civil engineering, design and media, the finished project was presented to the public.

My special thanks to my family, all my friends and colleagues in Brazil internship that supported me, especially in the final phase of my studies, morally as well as valuable tips and information, but not least, my mentor and promoter, Prof. Dipl.-Ing . Dipl.-Des. Bernd Rudolph of the professorship for teaching design methodology and presentation of the Bauhaus-University Weimar.

For Marion.

Dipl.-Ing. Manuela Ehrlich
D-21224 Rosengarten, Germany


info@creativefactory.de

I was born in Berlin in 1983.
I completed my studies in architecture with a diploma in engineering from the Bauhaus-University in Weimar. During this time I studied for one year at the ‘Universidad de Alicante’ in Spain, which enhanced my interest in international architecture. After several national internships, I worked for several months in Rio de Janeiro / Brazil.
My stay there and my internship work for the local architectural firm of Architects + Consultants Amann pointed the way for the final phase of my studies.
- the topic of my thesis came to me as the idea for a stimulating and challenging project: the creative factory „fábrica de criatividade“ in Rio de Janeiro.

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