This project explores ecological justice through the lens of waste inequality in Rio de Janeiro. Focusing on the Gamboa neighborhood and the repurposing of the historic Moinho Fluminense silos, we propose a decentralized recycling system connected to local waste streams. By integrating informal and formal actors—such as catadores and recycling industries—we aim to reduce landfill dependency, increase local participation, and close the recycling loop. A supporting mobile app and community tools ensure broader inclusion. The project reimagines waste not as a burden, but as an opportunity for circular, inclusive, and place-based urban transformation.
Our Key Justice Issue: Waste Inequality
Context Analysis in Río de Janeiro
Intervention Site
Moinho Fluminense Silos, Gamboa
WATER TANKS
BIO-LEATHER
SEEDCRETE
1. Composition & Production
- Reused Bricks: Demolished bricks are crushed into aggregate.
- Binding Agent: Could use natural or low-carbon binders like clay, lime, or bio-cement.
- Seeds: Embedded into the mix, chosen based on local bird diets (native grasses, wildflowers, or fruiting plants).
2. Benefits
- Biodiversity Support: Provides food for birds and integrates greenery into urban environments.
- Sustainable Material Cycle: Reduces construction waste and reintroduces materials into new structures.
- Aesthetic & Functional: Over time, buildings could grow greenery, improving air quality and microclimate.
3. Applications
- Façades & Walls: Buildings that naturally evolve into green habitats.
- Urban Furniture: Benches, small structures in parks, or bird-feeding walls.
