(des)construir a informalidade: da viagem ao regresso a casa

Abstract

For the architect, travelling is an irreplaceable pillar in the construction of knowledge and his architectural project, since it allows him to recognize other cultures, traditions, and dwelling rituals. The dichotomy between the known and the unknown, offers the possibility of distancing yourself from your own reality, to (de)construct it constantly. Essentially, it represents the action of looking simultaneously to the past and the future. Paradoxically, the journey and being confronted with two disparate realities, makes it possible to pin down a specific moment of clarification. It defines and potentiates the basis of this study. This dissertation comes together at the limit between the journey - the exchange program in Santiago de Chile - and the homecoming, Porto, place of departure and arrival. The distance is used as a mechanism to seek a formative condition that prepares my future ways of operating as an architect. Loosely based on an autobiographical point of view that was undoubtedly shaped by my personal experiences in Chile and in Portugal, it's perceived as an opportunity to question what architecture can be. Thus, in a personal quest to understand what can be perceived as architecture, we seek to learn lessons from informality; specific notes that validate a certain strategy in the architectural practice. The basis of procedure of this investigation defines a blank canvas where various components are put into play: architectural practices, examples of architecture, models, photos, readings, and drawings. An exercise of summoning different memories of the journey makes it possible to gather some further knowledge about informality, enabled by the critical distance. The dissertation begins, by naming a symbolic and revealing episode, Chiloé; an isolated territory in the south of Chile, characterized by the constructive tradition, by the identity and the architectural culture endemic to this given region. In the absence of an architect, dwellers resort to self-construction; to the rationalization of the capacity to make use only of what is available at the time; and the ability to build a house-like environment, in a state of fragility. Based on the example of Chiloé, discussion topics like housing and dwelling are brought up in lugares-estadia. Three practical examples by architects and anonymous, provide opportunities to learn furthermore about informality: provocação (provocation), identidade (identity) and outro (other). The lessons gathered throughout the whole process, converge on a conclusion, the síntese-de-projeto: an exercise of conscience and discipline that points to a possible approach to architecture, as an aspiring architect. Espaço (Space), desenho (design), muro (wall), forma (form), material (material), and símbolo (symbol): six fragments; notes of a possible architectural project with an (expectant) operational purpose.