The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to seek new ways of living and daily solutions. The economic crisis triggered across various sectors has made it essential to invest in initiatives that contribute to overcoming these challenges, ultimately reflecting on the well-being and health of all. In response, the Council of Architecture and Urbanism of Rio Grande do Sul (CAU/RS) has launched the "Healthy House – Healthy City" public ideas competition, which reinforces the role of architects and urbanists as essential agents in developing solutions for a healthier and safer society. Furthermore, CAU/RS believes that hosting competitions is a democratic way to identify quality proposals that benefit society as a whole.
What is the theme of this competition?
The ideas competition is built upon two main pillars. The first is the social function of architecture and urbanism, which is committed to improving the quality of life for the population and Brazilian municipalities. The second pillar concerns professional recognition. Architects and urbanists are professionals whose creativity allows them to conceive and propose alternatives to solve challenges, such as those currently imposed by the novel coronavirus. Developing solutions for homes and public spaces, for instance, helps ensure a higher quality of life, health, and safety—not only now, but in the future that will follow COVID-19. It is about the relevance of the profession both during and after the pandemic.
