Kdu dos Anjos, the founder of Lá da Favelinha, aimed to refurbish the unfinished building that had housed the Cultural Center since 2015. The construction was initially started by his parents as a means to generate rental income through small apartment units. However, Kdu's parents believed in his vision and worked hard to help him materialize an independent Cultural Center in that building.
The concept for this architectural project originated in 2017 when architect Fernando Maculan met with Kdu dos Anjos during a collaborative fashion upcycling workshop in Favela da Serra. The project took on a distinctive identity with the adoption of a textile solution for the facade and roof. This approach aimed to provide effective shading and temperature reduction while maintaining natural ventilation. Seamstresses from the favela, who also participated in the upcycling workshop and founded the favela fashion brand REMEXE, sewed and prepared the screens.
The completion and expansion of the project brought about significant changes. The ground floor, directly accessible from the street, was transformed into the "Favelinha Shopping Center". The intermediate floor underwent extensive renovations to accommodate sanitary facilities and workspaces, while the rooftop was converted into a versatile area for various activities.
In front of the cultural center, a parklet was collaboratively designed with young people from the favela, using recycled materials from school desks provided by the municipal public education network. Every internal space is infused with vibrant colors, creating a scenic architecture that celebrates dancers, models, entrepreneurs, and artists who view Favelinha as a gateway to the world.