Por uma Habitação para todos. Das lições do legado industrial à produção de princípios para a circunstância contemporânea

Abstract

Towards Housing for all was born from the challenge of understanding the problem of affordable housing in Portugal. Based on the premise that intellectual irreverence and dissatisfaction are engines for social change, this research reflects on the attempts of architects and other agents of society to solve the growing problem of the lack of decent housing for all. Over the last few centuries, industrialisation, population growth in cities and, more recently, increased immigration in Portugal have exacerbated housing precariousness and increased social inequalities. Even so, increased energy consumption, labour shortages, the perpetuation of poverty and new knowledge have posed complex challenges for the development of housing solutions that respect human dignity and are adaptable to contemporary needs. With this in mind, the dissertation explores the potential of prefabrication and the standardisation of components as possible answers to these problems, analysing global examples and their applicability to the Portuguese context. The document is divided into two main parts: a historical and conceptual analysis of the evolution of housing and the construction of principles that can guide thinking about the production of housing today, taking into account social, environmental and construction factors. The research integrates the author's professional experiences in companies such as Wood&Steel and the Casais Group, and interviews with various professionals in the sector, with the aim of encouraging reflection on the role of architecture in building housing for all. The dissertation is not intended to provide solutions, but rather to open up space for critical and in-depth reflection on the problem of housing, inspiring new approaches that promote sustainability, flexibility and social inclusion.