LUANDA / THE HOUSE OF THE THIRD LITTLE PIG

“The wolf huffed and puffed, but he couldn’t tear the house down, because it was built out of bricks and concrete…”

The house of the first little pig looks like the prototype of an affordable housing project built by the government for the impoverished: having to be finished quickly in order to meet with urgent political plans, the results are often fragile. The poor quality materials crack with the wolf´s first blow. Consequently, the first little pig will be forced to flee to his older brother´s home.

With all its small and confined spaces, the house of the second little pig resembles other examples of cheap housing built by governments. Spaces are so small that the two brothers can´t fit there together and, even if the materials are of a slight better quality than those of the first house, they still aren´t good enough to endure the attacks of the wolf. It will cost him a little more work to tear it down, but eventually it will also breakdown, because it was not properly designed to last.

The models for affordable housing units offered by government subsidized-programs are often characterized as having limited space, not taking into account the traditional lifestyle of its inhabitants, and as having been built out of the worst and cheapest materials available in the market.

The third pig's house is the only one designed to last. It is built with solid materials, and provides enough space to house all the brothers. It tolerates the climate of the specific location, considers the lifestyle of the inhabitants, adapts to their economic situation and complements their customs. Whether it be in Europe, Bolivia, or Bangkok, this house benefits its inhabitants, sheltering them from the wolf, and not breaking down with the ‘huff and puff’ of nature or even politics. e refer to these principles asThe House of the Third Little Pig.

THIRD LITTLE PIG´S HOUSE PRINCIPLES

1. The third little pig's house should last. It has to. It should be solid, remain within the budget, and have the technology that guarantees its durability.

2. In order to take advantage of the warm climate of Angola we propose using systems that use windows without glass, using as examples numerous models of housing in Brazil, the Caribbean and Africa. The third pig's house ensures good ventilation with minimal costs.

3. Given the rainfall and shortages of drinkable water we envision a roof that collects rainwater. The water is collected in a tank, reducing the cost of daily shopping. During most of the months of the year it could collect up to 3000 liters, which represents the average family´s consumption in Luanda. The third little pig's house should help strengthen the economy of its inhabitants.

4. The spaces are large, open, clear, designed to take into consideration the number of members in a family,. There is a roofed central patio onto which the volume of brick used to construct the rooms overlooks, and a rear garden to which the bathroom overlooks.
All the parties, gatherings and family meals take place in the patio. The roof collects water, while also providing shade and shelter. The outdoor-work activities take place in the garden. It is the place for having a vegetable garden, a chicken house, a laundry and a kitchen, as well as a personal bathroom with a septic tank.
Each area is within proximity of the other, promoting a type of fluid patio which serves as a multifunctional living space, and a garden at the backyard of the house.
The third little pig's house fosters social relations among the many family members, while allowing room for growth.

5. The rooms and bathrooms are designed as single and separate objects, and therefore capable of individually retaining their formal identities. The courtyard arises always from the perimeter’s center, in proximity of these interchangeable objects, thereby allowing a diversity of spaces.
Each house also has an alternative area, which is located in front of the house. It can be used as a garage, office, or local shop, while also providing extra room for storage.
The third little pig's house must be flexible.

6. The spaces allotted for the bedrooms and the patio can be easily closed. Private spaces can be modified so as to achieve total darkness, while the patio can be closed with wooden mattings which let air and light come through.
The third little pig's house has to be safe.

7. The use of brick and concrete, as a technology, allow a variety of different finishings, according to the budget and taste of each user. The block-walls support plaster, applied coatings, direct painting, murals, wood paneling, altars and bookshelves. The third little pig's house must be personal.