Caracas Water Treatment and Agricultural Centre - Site Analysis

Site - West Caracas, Venezuela, South America in the district of Oropeza Castillo.

Structural process of constructing a standard slum form.

The informal settlements are divided into levels based on the steep terrain of the context. The form is separated by function - the ground level been the commercial area, the first floor been a liveable space for one family and the second is divided for another family.

The characteristics of the form are unique and display a stacking effect up the terrain. The bright colours also give the informal settlements are vibrant, welcoming feeling.

By isolating different areas of the informal settlements, the fragmentation between form and spaces start to emerge. Although among the same area, by dividing the form, the randomised spaces start to emerge. All different based on terrain and density.

Spaces divided by walkways, small areas of green and the fragmentated formation of the informal settlements.

Terrain - The emergence of form stems from the ability to build in all empty space and to build up and around the terrain itself creating a curved urban landscape.

Randomisation of form.

They display a stacking effect on top of each form.

They also use the stacking effect to navigate the terrain.

They create intricate walkways between them to aid circulation.

The informal settlements emerged through rural settlers migrating to the city. They could not afford housing within the city so they moved to the open countryside to build small recycled building forms.

When there is little ground space, the forms will stack on top of one another to create more building space.