Adriano Ambrosio

Brazilian architect transforming favelas through participatory design and renewable energy initiatives

Adriano Ambrosio is a transformative urban designer working in Rio de Janeiro's favelas since 2018. His Urban Solar Project combines solar energy infrastructure with community-led housing upgrades, creating the first zero-emission favela district in Complexo da Maré. By training local residents as solar engineers through his Solar Academy program, he has empowered over 1,200 families to gain energy independence while reducing electricity costs by 70%.

Ambrosio's approach emphasizes architectural preservation of favela's organic urbanism while integrating modern sustainable systems. His 'Solar Coops' model uses blockchain technology to create local energy cooperatives, enabling residents to trade excess solar power within their communities. This system inspired similar projects in Salvador and Belo Horizonte, impacting 30,000+ people by 2024.

In 2021, he co-founded the Favela Tech Hub, a digital fabrication lab providing 3D printing facilities for affordable housing components. His work was featured at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale and earned the UNESCO 2024 Sustainable Urban Innovation Prize. Ambrosio's philosophy - 'Solar Justice' - redefines urban sustainability by centering marginalized communities in technological innovation.