becos com saída (Oitoo)

Becos Com Saída is an initiative founded by oitoo in 2016 in Porto, born from the observation of a widespread lack of public spaces that could support everyday use — spaces where different events and initiatives could take place, improving the quality of life for local communities and fostering a sense of belonging.

What if that vacant lot behind a wall in your neighbourhood could open its doors and become a garden? A playground? An urban farm? A meeting point for chess players?
We believe in rekindling civic consciousness, often subdued in today’s increasingly individualistic and isolated social context. To achieve this, oitoo engaged with communities in several Porto neighbourhoods through urban interventions inspired by Candy Chang’s I Wish This Was… participatory project.

The process began with mapping a specific type of urban plot: vacant, unbuilt, abandoned, or simply “waiting.” We focused on plots with a clear connection to the street — through a wall, a gate, or the façade of a derelict building. All shared a common condition: the potential to become something else. Until that transformation occurs, why not activate these spaces temporarily, creating benefits for both owners and the community? Mapping these plots made them visible and legible to the public.

MAR Office collaborated with oitoo to develop the brand strategy and visual identity. Becos represents an enclosed space — a void within the dense urban fabric; Com Saída signals its potential for exchange with the public realm. This concept underpins the BCS logo: an open frame and a charged void, flexible enough to accommodate multiple scenarios. The logo extends across scales and media, from signage to flyers, stickers, and posters, with a system of three frames and eight vibrant colors generating an infinite variety of combinations. The content occupies the void, reinforcing the participatory nature of the project.

From March 2018, sponsored by the Association of Portuguese Architects (OASRN), oitoo organized four urban actions in different Porto neighbourhoods. Specific plots were selected, and local residents and passersby were invited to explore these sites and reflect on their potential uses. Participants considered what was missing in the area and expressed their wishes through stickers, capturing a multiplicity of voices.

By recognizing the hidden civic potential of these plots, Becos Com Saída proposes a realistic short-term strategy to activate them while awaiting permanent uses. The ideas gathered from residents inform temporary interventions that bring life to these spaces, demonstrating that even small, temporary actions can foster civic engagement, strengthen community ties, and reimagine the everyday city.