Welcome to Vidigal

I built a house in a slum in Rio with the help of local friends. I first made this page because I didn't want to keep sending individual updates and photos... and it evolved into  a way to share my experience with friends, family and everyone. enjoy!

I got to know Vidigal through an NGO (Portuguese - ONG) in Vidigal where I volunteer as an English/Music teacher. It is called SER Alzira de Aleluia, a heavenly organization that I recommend to anyone. Friend them http://pt-br.facebook.com/people/Ser-Alzira-de-Aleluia/100001031300008 or find out more http://seralziradealeluia.weebly.com/index.html

Vidigal (left) in all its glory. A bustling slum with the best view in Rio. I didn’t take this picture

The view is even better from the top. I am the proud creator of this picture

where that nifty A on the map is where Vidigal is in relation to Rio. Thank you  Google Maps.

The Idea

I organized a couple of events in vidigal at a place called “Oficina de Jo,” where 2 people live, Wilson and Jo, both Brazilian.

Wilson is the man. Partially because he’s an extremely talented artist that works primarily with airbrush and paints beach scenes more beautiful than dreams.

Just so you like him, heres a wall he painted.

The other reason hes the man is cause he lives in this shack made of recycled materials, discarded wood, and cost a total of $0.00. It’s raised, it actually starts where the movie poster begins and the Dilma poster ends. It isn’t even tall enough to stand up in. He built it in 3 days.

He likes to spend his energy on other things than his house. I know, he’s the man.

So anyway, Wilson’s hut is in the back of a property near the entrance of Vidigal that contains:

Auto body shop

Event/Party rental space

Wilson’s art gallery

Jo’s house

Wilson’s hut

I was looking for a place to live, and Wilson suggested I build a hut like his. He promised he would help, and I was exhilarated. Just needed the go from Jo, who manages the property…

Meet Jo (action shot)

Jo is 51. He's an intelligent and just man, and has 6 or 7 girlfriends that all know about each other. Once he gave me the go ahead, the adventure began.

The Plan

So what was the plan?

I didn’t plan much. A couple of people who should know (like Architects) told me to start drawing, so I did.

Plan view (as I came to learn meant aerial view). The penciled box is Wilson’s cabana and the blue was my projected cabana. The circle is a tree that I wanted right in the middle of my house. You know the girls love when forestlife and reallife mix, but I wasn’t ready to go full Avatar.

All measurements in metric (SAE sucks)

Floorboard plan (plan view) Nevermind that “mushroom café” in the top right corner…

No one told me that learning how to draw would be part of building a house.

So anyway, I get my fill of drawing and im like, “what now?” so I ask a bunch of architects how to begin. My favorite response came from Uncle Luke, who included with his advice a recommendation that I take a class and read some books before undertaking the project. I mean… obviously he’s right….

But I needed a house to live in NOW!!!!

Cementing Posts - the Thiago

One confused week and 6 consecutively smaller holes later, our hero mixes concrete in paradise.

My team for the day consisted of Thiago and Danielle (27, Ecuadorian/American civil engineer, lucky soul enjoys a relationship with Karina Lassner).He is installing nails into the main posts so the cement gets a strong hold (favela trick #1). We used macaranduba, a magical wood from the amazon. So strong, you can’t nail anything in without previously drilling a hole. it should hold up the mini-cabana-raves I’ve been planning.

This is a great shot of my hair

Thiago (left, 28, previously employed construction worker, in a relationship (sorryladies))  comes to our international rescue.

Thiago’s philosophy is pure – “ta bom” (it’s fine). Thiago was in charge. Holes too big? No problem. Not sure where the post should go in the hole? No problem. Nothing we can’t just figure out later.

look how absurdly big that hole is for that itty-bitty post. This wasn’t even the biggest one (the cat grave). Notice the used motor-oil, *favela trick #2* to deter termites.

the first sign of LIFE!!!!

Floor Supports - the Gerson

As construction proceeded, more charitable souls came. You know what they say: If you build it, they will come.

Meet Gerson, the one who isn’t white and isn’t me.

Gerson is one of the most impressive people that I have met in Vidigal. Actually, ever. He, with no apparent personal benefit, donated the use of his tools, flatbed, time, and know-how to the valiant cause of helping a gringo build a cabana. This man is more charitable than Bill Gates.

In one intense day, Gerson and I drive an hour to Jacarepagua, a cheap place to buy materials, and return with all the wood I need. I buy him lunch (it’s the least I can do) and then he helps me install all of the floorboard supports, using his tools.

Look at Gerson working. Hes a very exact, do things right guy… he builds 5 story houses.

Favela trick 3 – after making these slits we will cut them out

so that the horizontal supports can fit into the slits and get extra support (favela trick #4)

A monkey appears on the construction site and raises spirits (favela trick #5)

We (Gerson) use mason’s line to ensure that all boards are level.

Pure manhood.

The day is done and Gerson goes home, and Wilson returns after a week of absence. Look at these fancy “French arms” we installed for the to-be-porch, which extends past the main posts.

ooooooohhhhh

ahhhhhhhhh

ooooh yess exxxcellent *twiddles fingers*.

and…. POOOOOOF!

SSSSHHAAZAM!

The Players

It is time for you to meet the tools that were at my disposal for this adventure. If you are American, you will enjoy this.

Meet Mr. Ladder. Origin – Vidigal. As you can see, the first step isn’t even attached. Sometimes the second step falls out too. Not your average contractors ladder.

Origin: Vidigal and Gulfport, Mississippi. I brought my DeWalt (lifesaver) from home, unfortunately his battery is old and weak so I used Wilson's drill as well.

Origin: New York City. brought this general tool set, excellent idea if I may say so myself. I used every tool here at some point.

This guy is a demon monster. Origin: 110% vidigal. My brother Leyland would describe this as “the spinning blade of Death” This is the only tool that I did not like to use. In controlled circumstances (i.e. proper eyewear, footgear, gloves), you have to take care that this guy doesn’t take your arm off. We did everything in sandals and with no gloves (but I did use eyewear!)

just incase this wasn’t ‘dicey’ enough for you, here’s the kicker – the trigger mechanism on this devil is broken. As soon as you plug it in, it starts spinning, and doesn’t stop until you unplug.

the Kit-de-Gerson. Origin: vidigal. This little box right here is the difference between a straight house and a not-so-straight house.

The jolt-a-tron. This never got old. Origin: Wilson’s ninja school. Touch either exposed wire on this bad boy and get a refreshing jolt! The wires are conveniently located 90degrees apart so that there is no easy way to hold it as you plug and unplug your devices. (I lost count how many times this guy shocked me. Better than coffee!)

The psycodela-behema-block. Origin: Wilson’s ninja school. We mostly used this 50 lb block of wood to stand on top of in precarious positions while using power tools. You have to believe in its psychedelic powers, otherwise you’re going down.

MVP RUNNER UP goes to the exacto-german-meter stick. Origin – Pat Gerharz’s ancestors construction company in Gau-Algesheim, Germany. The German precision folding and stretching was crucial every step of the way.

MVP!!!!! Origin: THE US OF A! SHARPIE! No joke, this was the single most used and most useful tool. It makes imagination reality. I’m so grateful, I cuddle with this at night.

There were obv more, but you get the idea.

Wilson's Ninja School

The real ninja school started once we started working up higher. Wilson repeatedly perplexed me with his ninja solutions to favela construction problems, and I was fortunate enough to capture one of them. Here he balancing a lateral beam on propped piece of wood while standing on stool on top of a flimsy box.

Wilson giggles as I explain the ninja-ness of his feat. He was not aware that he was a ninja until I told him.

Young grasshopper begins training. Notice his cool, calm expression.

Ninja Graduation: Notice the metal roofing here. It is not attached, it is merely resting on the roof supports. On a Wilson-less day, my task was to mount the roof  and nail in the roofing.

Ninja challenges:

1. Getting on this beast without pulling all the roofing down on top of you in one massive metalslide

2. you can only put your weight where the wood support is underneath… but from above you cant see where the wood is. dicey.

my ninja demonstration for Wilson to prove myself. I chose to perform the ‘balancing lotus, dragonwood extension’

i balanced a flimsy wooden box between my house and a concrete wall and then stood on top of it while installing a roof support extension

Full extension. Get a feeling for the potential drop as well. Ninja rank achieved – Dragon Sapling

Luxuries

As time goes on, I became more ‘favelaized’ – I ran out of money and became more accustomed to recycling and better at finding useful things in the garbage. I was so happy when I stumbled upon this mess:

arguably the funniest moment of construction is when I was carrying wood I found on the street up to the cabana and the motorcycle-taxi crew dubbed me ‘Jesus”.

once I completely ran out of money, i used more and more recycled materials. I call this particular juncture the

“full favela”

I am proud of my ingenuity here – I carved a slit into his wood so that my chique glass window would sit inside of it.

This is growing tiresome. Fast forward.  BOOOM! To the window… to the walls! All these females crawl!!

·       - lil jon

you don’t have to tell me its sexy… I know.

Wilson painting the floor with a broom that I found in the trash in leblon.

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