Bastien Botte

De informal a informal

All over the world, millions of people are forced to leave their homes. Wars, violence, poverty, and natural disasters push families to search for safety and opportunity elsewhere. Colombia is no exception: decades of conflict and instability have displaced millions within its own borders. These internally displaced families, together with refugees and other vulnerable groups, try to find their place in Medellín, where new informal neighborhoods expand constantly. They seek a chance to rebuild their lives, yet face profound challenges: a lack of public spaces, limited infrastructure, precarious construction, and few opportunities. 

De informal a informal was born from encounters in Medellín, especially in Altos de la Torre. By walking its narrow paths, listening to stories, and spending time with residents and community leaders, I came to understand both the difficulties and the strengths of the community. Here, architecture is not about imposing order, but about amplifying what already exists – local knowledge, rhythms, and the capacity to build together.  

The main square of the barrio is fragmented and overcrowded. Almost all public functions are compacted into the primary school building. Classrooms are too few, circulation is unsafe, and different functions must share the same space, creating conflict. Adding public space in other parts of the barrio would allow the community to transform this main square into a dedicated place for education, play, and collective life.  

As informal settlements constantly evolve, it is crucial to anticipate how spaces will change over time. Through collaboration, we worked with local knowledge, techniques, and materials to imagine how public space and public buildings could grow – particularly the square dedicated to education and community life. Planning for change is essential in a context where barrios transform so quickly. 

The design remains open, spaces are meant to transform with daily rhythms: a classroom that becomes a hall, a playground that turns into a stage, a market that appears when needed. All of those transformations are created by its inhabitants within workshops, ateliers, and community exercises.  

This is everyday architecture, a living organism – adaptable, shared, and connected to the people it serves.