Inteligencias Colectivas is an online platform that shares a repertoire of construction techniques and local knowledge from around the world.
Each design submission obtained by Inteligenias Colectivas is catalogued with details of the construction, location and methodologies used, and often accompanied by photographs, diagrams and informal Youtube interviews. Many of the techniques are only valid in informal environments and are solutions that often lack formal design planning, permits and official approval. However, the generational wisdom and peer-to-peer development of designs and techniques exhibit improvisation appropriate to their needs and the unique environments in which they operate.
A selection of initiatives in Latin America:
Ciclo-tiendas in Medellín, Colombia
All over the Colombia, especially in the cities of Medellin and Cali you will find Mad Max style clandestine businesses on wheels. The street vendors freely move around the streets, plazas, residential areas of the cities selling mobile phone minutes, drinks, snacks, fruit, lottery tickets… anything you may require.
Each small business has its own bespoke requirements; sugar cane crusher, popcorn popper, fire ovens, electrical or gas supply, fold out displays, rain protector, loud sound system.
The construction process usually begins by finding a suitable base to build upon and customized. Bicycles, trolleys, baby strollers and carts are often used. Here are a few of the examples listed:
More examples of ciclo-tiendas
Guadua bench in Palomino, Colombia
All over Colombia guadua is growing in abundance. This tall and tough, fast growing bamboo is widely used in construction as scaffolding, tree protection, fencing, and housing in poorer communities. It has also been popularied in higher end constructions by Colombian architect Simón Vélez. Below is a typical example of how it is used within a community:
Community Ecological Station in Las Malvinas, Dominican Republic
This community centre was built out of a donated shipping container, bamboo, reused metal, drums, tires and various other re-appropriated paraphernalia. The space provides shelter from the sun during the day, a meeting point within community, a space to conduct workshops, medical check-ups and classes. Two dry toilets and rainwater collection is incorporated into the design for basic hygiene.
Further information
Inteligencias Colectivas is an open source free database of non-standard architectural and design solutions.
www.inteligenciascolectivas.org
@int_colectivas
How to Contribute
There is no formal way to contribute a project to the database. However their email address is info [a] inteligenciascolectivas.org
*Main article image is photograph of ciclo-tienda in Cali, Colombia. ©Tropical Commons, 2018
