UGO architecture and design: let's talk about garbage

UGO architecture and design: let’s talk about garbage
all images courtesy of UGO architecture and design

‘let’s talk about garbage’ by polish firm UGO architecture and design is focused around the biggest slum in asia dharavi, which is home to over 1 million inhabitants. the selling of the slum’s land requires a solution for the relocation of this unique community. located only ten minutes from the centre of the metropolis, its financial district and the famous bollywood, the land (and people living there) has been put up for sale by the city authorities, it is worth over 2.3 billion dollars. the slum generates profits worth 500 million dollars, it supplies the whole of mumbai with necessary products and goods.

the substitute accommodation offered by the local authorities does not meet the needs of the self-sustained community. the replacement flats are based on westernized models of housing and ignore the cultural and social needs of the people. they do not allow them to run craftsman’s workshops and other businesses from their homes. ‘let’s talk about garbage’ is a solution for the occupants of dharavi, one that adapts a completely different attitude towards space and privacy within the typical apartment typology. the economically constructed housing block allows its inhabitants to shape and modify the functions within. people become the architects of their own home, as families are able to decide the number of rooms, their arrangement and the materials used.

the new slum development allows inhabitants to actively recycle waste and transform it into business goods

the relocation of the slum to the nearby dump derona, 7.5 km from the city, is where thousands of residents gather 6 thousand tons of garbage every day to take back to the local businesses. materials recycled in dharavi include almost all the glass, aluminum, paper, plastic, paints, cans, cables, electronics, garbage and even soap from nearby hotels. this new site will allow them to continue to carry out their business activities, as most of the craftsmen rely heavily on recycled materials.

the new facility is a structure without a prescribed function. divided into 7 x 3.5 m units similar to a multi-storey car park. the dimensions are focused around an analysis of the buildings surrounding the dump. the 50m height of the structure corresponds to the highest block of houses in area. the solid rectangular volume is divided by two corridors into two parts: the residential one to the south and a recycling part to the north. the only feature in the development that suggests a function is the dedicated recycling area. the open ground floor space serves mainly to supply garbage from the dump and export goods produced by the residents. the 7m wide streets around the building’s edge fulfill not only their transport function but they are also major places for social meetings and trade.  

the economically constructed housing block allows its inhabitants to shape and modify the spaces themselves

section

section

new site plan

concept diagram

aerial view of site map

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.