Architecture News

A collective of architectural firms, spearheaded by SANAA, in collaboration with Estudio A0, Caá Porá Arquitectura, and Jerome Haferd Studio, has been declared the victor in the design competition for Ecuador's National Museum (MuNA). Their groundbreaking proposal, 'Estratos Vivos,' which translates to 'Living Strata,' captivated judges and the public alike with its innovative approach to integrating the museum into the natural and cultural tapestry of Ecuador. This decision marks the culmination of a distinctive selection process that notably incorporated widespread public input, a departure from traditional architectural competitions.

The selection of 'Estratos Vivos' by SANAA and its partners came after an unconventional turn of events. Initially, an international jury had chosen a different design. However, this preliminary decision faced considerable backlash from architects, academics, and the general populace, who voiced concerns about whether the proposed design genuinely represented Ecuador's rich cultural identity. This public outcry led to an online petition garnering thousands of signatures, prompting Ecuador's Ministry of Education to revoke the initial verdict. A subsequent, revised evaluation process was initiated, involving ten invited teams and ultimately incorporating a nationwide public vote alongside expert jury scores to determine the final winner.

The 'Estratos Vivos' concept proposes a museum that seamlessly merges with its surroundings, emerging from the landscape as a series of gently layered, circular structures. These forms are adorned with lush, planted terraces and open courtyards, creating an edifice that appears to organically expand both horizontally and vertically. This design consciously moves away from the imposing grandeur often associated with national civic buildings, instead offering a sequence of inviting public spaces that encourage visitors to explore at their own pace.

Within this innovative design, the exhibition spaces are organized around circular patios. These strategically placed openings facilitate the inflow of natural light and establish visual connections across different levels of the museum. A network of ramps, terraces, and open-air pathways creates fluid routes throughout the building, strategically framing breathtaking vistas of Quito and the majestic Pichincha volcano. This continuous architectural experience allows for a harmonious transition between enclosed art galleries and outdoor garden areas, blurring the lines between art and the urban environment.

The architectural team drew profound inspiration from Ecuador's diverse geography and its rich cultural heritage, which is characterized by various 'living strata' encompassing mountains, forests, coastlines, and ancient archaeological sites. This deep appreciation for the country's multi-faceted identity is reflected in the museum's design, which aims to be a collection of interconnected environments. Developed with the active involvement of Indigenous, Afro-Ecuadorian, and mestizo advisors, the proposal positions the museum as a vital space where a multitude of histories and perspectives can coexist and be celebrated independently, rather than being forced into a single, unified narrative.

The unusual yet ultimately successful integration of public opinion into the selection process for the National Museum of Ecuador underscores a significant shift in how national cultural institutions are conceived and developed. With the 'Estratos Vivos' project now moving forward, the collaborative team led by SANAA is poised to realize a museum that will not only house over 1.2 million cultural artifacts but also serve as a dynamic repository of Ecuador's historical and artistic legacy, deeply rooted in the collective spirit of its people.

In an ambitious architectural endeavor, Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA), alongside South Korean construction firm GS E&C, has unveiled plans for an innovative residential skyscraper in Seoul. This 140-meter structure, provocatively named 'A High Rise on High Heels,' reimagines urban living by lifting its occupied floors onto elegant, slender columns. This design move creates an expansive, open ground-level environment engineered to manage stormwater effectively, preserve existing natural elements, and cultivate vibrant new public spaces. The core principle of the project revolves around the 'sponge city' concept, aiming to integrate sustainable water management directly into the urban fabric by absorbing and slowing rainfall on-site, thus enhancing Seoul's adaptive capacity to climate challenges. Beyond its structural novelty, the tower also features adaptive facades and strategically distributed communal terraces, transforming emergency refuge areas into valuable outdoor social spaces for residents. This holistic approach blends advanced architectural design with ecological foresight, setting a new benchmark for sustainable urban development.

Elevating Urban Living and Ecological Resilience

Carlo Ratti Associati, working with GS E&C, has unveiled a visionary proposal for a 140-meter residential tower in Seoul, distinctively termed 'A High Rise on High Heels.' This innovative project elevates the main residential volume onto a series of slender structural columns, transforming the conventional tower podium into an open, permeable landscape. This design choice is not merely aesthetic; it serves a crucial environmental purpose by facilitating effective stormwater management, safeguarding existing trees, and creating dynamic new public areas. The initiative draws heavily on 'sponge city' principles, which prioritize the on-site absorption and slowing of rainwater before it enters the city's drainage network. This integration positions the tower as a critical component of Seoul's broader climate adaptation strategy, demonstrating how architectural design can actively contribute to urban ecological resilience.

The structural innovation of lifting the tower allows for an uninterrupted flow of water, vegetation, and pedestrian activity beneath the building, fostering a harmonious relationship between the built and natural environments. This permeable ground plane enhances the site's ecological function, making it an integral part of the city's defense against flooding while promoting biodiversity. Furthermore, the design redefines resident interaction with the site, as landscaped gardens extend seamlessly beneath and around the elevated structure. These shaded public realms are designated for community amenities, including dining venues, tea houses, and urban farming plots, encouraging social engagement and a connection to nature. By minimizing the building's direct footprint, the project ensures the preservation of mature trees and maximizes daylight penetration and public accessibility across the entire block, exemplifying a forward-thinking approach to urban development that prioritizes environmental stewardship and community well-being.

Dynamic Facades and Community-Centric Design

Beyond its innovative base, the Seoul tower incorporates adaptive facades that dynamically respond to environmental conditions, and reinterprets mandated refuge floors into communal terraces. The architectural team at CRA has ingeniously integrated photovoltaic panels on south-facing elevations to harness solar energy, while east and west facades are equipped with vertical louvers to mitigate low-angle solar gain. This tailored approach to the building's envelope significantly improves environmental performance through passive responses that are optimized for each facade's specific exposure. This smart design strategy minimizes energy consumption, reduces the building's carbon footprint, and enhances thermal comfort for occupants, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable living practices.

A key aspect of the tower's design is the transformation of regulatory refuge floors, typically sterile emergency spaces, into vibrant, planted communal terraces distributed throughout the building. These green oases serve as shared outdoor areas where residents can relax, socialize, and enjoy elevated views of the city. This creative reinterpretation of a mandatory building element enriches the living experience, fostering a sense of community and providing valuable access to nature within a high-rise setting. The overall design emphasizes a holistic integration of advanced technology, sustainable practices, and thoughtful community planning, offering a model for future urban developments that are not only resilient to climate change but also enhance the quality of life for their inhabitants, setting a new standard for eco-conscious residential architecture.