2024
MCHAP.emerge
Hospedajes en la cantera, viendo al Tungurahua.
La Cabina de la Curiosidad
Baños de Agua Santa, Tungurahua, Ecuador
November 2022
PRIMARY AUTHOR
Marie Combette (architect), Daniel Moreno Flores (architect)
CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR
Patricio Cevallos (Engineering), Las Manos Sucias (Philippe Frechou, Ted la Cruz, Pedro Marrero, Yoswar Marrero, Yonatan Rodríguez) (Carpenters), David Tayo, Byron Lidioma, Jorge Sasi, Fredy Achote, Jaime Vivanco, Juan Pillapa (Metal constructors & Builders), Pinxcel (Sergio Calderón) (illustration), Geovany Toaquiza (Hydro Sanitary
CLIENT
Alexandra Torres, Kevin Torres, Margarita Castro y Jorge Torres.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Sebastián Crespo
OBJECTIVE
'-Landscape regeneration, reforestation with native plants.
From immersion we want the architecture to enter in symbiosis with nature. The volumes are isolated, the construction is raised from the ground, the foundations are punctual and the regeneration of vegetation is prioritized.
-Reusing materials cohabiting with the memory of the quarry.
The logics of the infrastructure of the quarry's sieves to sift the stones were replicated.
-Valorization of environmental resources: recycling, reuse, reemployment.
The natural context: giant stones, flagstones, rubble and sand.
Recycling: sieves, pipeline pipes, metal parts, rods, steel cable coil, a ladle and its small nails.
Reusables: carved stones from a church, toilets, tubs, wood, etc.
-Inhabiting the mountain as part of the change in economic activity.
Two flexible lodges (4 persons), there is contact with the landscape from all areas of the cabin and you have the same opportunity to observe the outdoors. The kitchen offers a panoramic view.
-Volcano observatory, dialogue with the near and distant landscape.
The cabin points towards the volcano, and becomes an observatory: the wood allows the visitor comfort. They are prefabricated trusses and contain natural insulation.
-Stones as a structural system.
Giant stones support spaces, an axis of metal structure is maintained by tension and balance.
-Water cycle, we take care of our liquid wastes.
Lighting is powered by solar panels. The water comes from a spring and is heated by the sun. A biodigester is used, gray water and treated sewage infiltrate into the ground.
CONTEXT
Tourism:
Hot springs, adventure and nature.
Changing the model towards sustainable tourism:
The owner family is in the process of changing the extractive model of a stone quarry to one of conservation and regeneration of the ecosystems of the land, with adventure tourism. A dump truck from the quarry and scrap metal have been sold to finance two lodges and a dining room, to purchase outside materials, local labor, and to finance landscape regeneration.
Relationship of the project to its location:
It is a natural terrain close to the village, on the slopes of the Tungurahua volcano (1999-2016 eruption), next to a lahar (with sand and stones, that is why there has been stone exploitation). In the quarry, there is infrastructure with pipeline pipes, iron rod sieves, large machinery and abandoned spare parts.
Terrain:
-40% the Quarry, in the following years, a landscape regeneration process is planned.
-60% natural area, has not been disturbed or is in the process of remediation. There are ecosystems with native vegetation and there are different climatic zones.
Physical characteristics:
We are located in a canyon, on a raised platform, with endemic vegetation, preserved mounds and achupallas. There is a panoramic view towards the hills, looking directly to the volcano and to one side you can see the Pastaza river (Amazon direction).
Rocky soil, windy, Andean climate variation (rainy, sunny, hot, cold and foggy), water sources, different biospheres and native fauna.
Public infrastructure:
It is outside the urban drinking water, electricity and sewage systems.
PERFORMANCE
'-Lessons learned:
The realization of the project has provoked increased awareness and a lesson on climate change. It is a manifesto of how one should take advantage of available material resources beyond the value of money, surpassing the idea of capital.
-Human ecology:
It teaches us about what a rural Andean habitat could look like with the reutilization of urban waste.
-Biophilia:
As time goes by, nature continues to regenerate and gain space, more and more lodges are surrounded by native bushes.
-Research:
It is a methodology of utilization of waste generated by urban human activity itself, it considers how to give second life to elements that apparently were not obsolete.
-Interdisciplinary:
It has been a collective learning process, among non-technical people on site, to such an extent that the clients become experts in construction and renewable energies, they themselves have the strength to do the maintenance of the different situations.
-Academy:
It is a project that is a benchmark, as it has a recognizable replicable model, not because of its architectural figure, but because of its conception and management strategies. Students and professors are researching the processes.
-The mission of architecture:
We do what we dream and in that process we learn a lot in the doing. What we seek is for human beings to live with quality of life and extend for the life of all. Living in symbiosis with nature, learning other ways of living.
