Casa Social, Calhau

Location
Calhau, São Vicente, Cabo Verde

Project Type
Community Space Revitalization

Casa Social, Calhau is the reactivation of a shared community house and its role in village life. Through light renovation and community programming, SOLM supports the Casa Social as a functional, welcoming space for gathering, learning, and exchange.

For context, in Cabo Verde, each community is given a Casa Social by the municipality. These buildings are intended to serve as a focal point for connection, culture, and communal activity.

In Calhau, the Casa Social had not been actively used for several years. While the building remained standing, its role as a shared space had diminished. As SOLM began working in Calhau, the Casa Social emerged as a natural place to reconnect the community and reestablish a central point for communication and participation.

The project focused on bringing the Casa Social back into use through practical improvements and renewed activity. This included a fresh coat of paint, new seating, and basic upgrades to make the space more comfortable and functional. Alongside these physical changes, SOLM began introducing programs and gatherings that invited residents back into the space. The goal was simple: to make the Casa Social feel open, active, and useful again.

By reactivating both the building and its purpose, this project reinforces the Casa Social as an iconic home for community life in Calhau and a foundation for future collective work.