How can the Segadas Viana be transformed through a transitional retrofit that matches the residential culture of its residents?

The Segadas Viana-building in Recife, Brazil, has been occupied by the social movement MLRT since 2021. This occupation symbolizes the struggle for equitable housing for low-income groups and is within the philosophy of "the right to the city".

The planned transfer of ownership of the building to MLRT opens the door to a retrofit process, funded through the government program 'Minha Casa Minha Vida'. This master's thesis examines how a retrofit can be realized while respecting the residential culture of the current, vulnerable residents of the Segadas Viana-building. In addition to legal, political and policy dimensions, the focus is on the socio-spatial impact on residents.

Using the participatory research method Design-Driven Participatory Action Research (DD-PAR), residents actively participated as co-researchers. Through fieldwork, co-creation, design research and reflective feedback, the retrofit process was examined in collaboration with local actors.

The study identifies four key themes: current residential culture, the physical condition and ownership of the building, the visions of involved actors for retrofit, and the spatial compatibility between these elements. This reveals clear tensions between policy frameworks, design practices and resident participation. Mandated retrofit standards often conflict with residents' existing, informal housing practices. From this tension, design proposals are suggested that start from the existing situation as a “tabula scripta,” using the current context as a starting point for spatial proposals.

In conclusion there is a lack of housing perspective for residents during the retrofit phase. The study therefore concludes that a transition retrofit is necessary: a transitional phase that reduces the risk of social disruption and ensures continuity, community structure and housing security during renovation.