Clube de Mães

It is a space to support children, teenagers, and mothers, offering safety, care, opportunities, and a sense of belonging, essential for strengthening social ties and promoting dignity.

place Curitiba , Paraná, Brasil BRA 001
Surface 200 m2 Date Started:
April 1, 2024.
Phase Ongoing. Type Community facilities and education.
Target Group Children and women. Partner Universidad Federal de Paraná Movimiento de Trabajadores
Client Clube de Mães Donor .
Tecnology Upcycing and sourcing local materias
Design
Design
Design
Design
Design
Design
Design
Design
Design

1. Observe.

Why, context, challenge.

The sad truth

Curitiba is internationally recognized for its urban planning achievements — efficient mobility, well-maintained parks, and thoughtful urban design are hallmarks of the city. However, this award-winning image hides a harsh reality: more than 120,000 people currently live in favelas, facing precarious housing conditions, lack of basic sanitation, absence of public services, and neglect in policies aimed at children, youth, and community life.

Image
Image

Build solutions

Within this context lies the Portelinha Community, a territory that, despite the adversities, mobilizes to build solutions with its own hands. One of the most inspiring examples of this resistance is the Clube de Mães (Mothers' Club), a space created by the community itself to support children, adolescents, and mothers, offering safety, affection, opportunities, and a sense of belonging.

Promote dignity

At the Clube de Mães, cultural activities, educational workshops, income-generating initiatives, and community gatherings are held. It is a living space, essential for strengthening social bonds and promoting dignity. However, the current building is fragile and improvised, and its activities rely entirely on occasional donations, putting the continuity of its work at risk.In response to this situation, a partnership was formed between the Clube de Mães and Coletivo Caracol, from the Architecture and Urbanism Workshop at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR). Together, they are working to design a new community space through a participatory and educational process, where popular and academic knowledge come together — thus ensuring the continuation of vital activities for the social and human development of Portelinha.

Meeting with University of Paraná (UFPR)
04/25
Definition
01/25
Drawing
01/25
Budget
01/25
Construction
01/25

Who participate

Paola Bornaschella

Paola Bornaschella

Architect - Design Director - paola@augnorge.org
Paola holds a master’s degree in architecture from the Faculty of Architecture, Design, and Urbanism at the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina. Paola has a solid experience in architectural design across all phases and scales—from small private buildings to large, complex projects such as masterplans, healthcare facilities, and multifunctional buildings. Paola is a founder, the current design director, and board member of AUG. She is passionate about social architecture. Guided by the belief that architecture is a powerful tool for social change, she advocates for inclusive design that fosters safety, dignity, and equal opportunity—especially in communities where it's needed most.
Karina Tonietto Reis

Karina Tonietto Reis

Landscape Architect

Support an Ongoing Project.

Discover our current fundraising campaigns and get involved.

A safe home for children living in insecurity A safe home for children living in insecurity
Collaborate

Help Build Hope

The Safe House is A supportive space where vulnerable children receive food, clean clothes, hygiene access, school supplies, and a quiet place to study—so they can participate in school on equal terms and grow with dignity and confidence.

Community Center Zambia Community Center Zambia
Collaborate

Help Build Hope

The community center in Nyawa will be a safe and inclusive meeting place, especially for young girls and women, where they can gather, develop, share ideas and build the future together.

Guarani Capaign Guarani Capaign
Collaborate

Help Build Hope

In the heart of the rainforest, the Guaraní people are facing a severe housing crisis—one that threatens their unique culture and way of life. This project empowers local communities through hands-on training in a simple, replicable building system made from local materials like wood, earth, and clay.