2016 Competition Entry Guayaquil, Ecuador 20000 m2 Scope of Work Architectural Design Telconet is a fiberoptics company who invited a group of architects to participate in a design competition for its new headquarters in Ecuador. The building should be a freestanding volume, on a large site where additional infrastructure will be added in the future. Sustinability, funtionality, state of the art technology, flexibility, open spaces, transparency, natrual light, great views, future growth, were important concepts to guide the architectural concept.
Holcim Headquarters
2007 Completed Guayaquil, Ecuador 4500 m2 Scope of Work Architectural Design The multinational company Holcim decided to expand the cement factory in Guayaquil, which meant they had to relocate their offices, laboratory and workshop within the industrial complex. They invited three architectural firms to submit concepts for their new headquarters; Arkitektura won the project managed by the swiss group. The most important parameters were functionality, flexibility for future growth, and sustainable solutions. Orientation, ventilation and natural light were important features in our plan: green roofs, louvers, automatization for lighting and air-conditioning systems, allowed the building to operate with low energy consumption. Another important objective was to create spaces for employees of all departments to meet and communicate, indoors and in shaded outdoor areas with a landscape designed with local trees and water fountains.
Hotel Ecoturistico Rio Verde
1998 Preliminary Design Esmeraldas, Ecuador 30000 m2 Scope of Work Architectural Design This project proposal was developed for a beachfront property near the city of Esmeraldas with the purpose of becoming the first facility to offer ecotourism in the country. Arkitektura’s objective was to maintain the tropical and natural environment of the region. Rooms and suites were implemented in individual wooden lodges on stilts creating a shadowed area for hammocks on the ground level. Upper level rooms would enjoy a good view and natural breeze and lighting, and a covered terrace. The property was covered with sand and planted with palm trees. Elevated wooden walkways would float above the sand, creating a path among the palm trees. The existing house would be renovated, creating a lobby and reception lounge, bar, restaurant and cafeteria, overlooking the swimming pool. A second bar was to be created next to the beach.
Grand Hotel Guayaquil
2002 Completed Guayaquil, Ecuador 600 m2 Scope of Work Construction Interior Design In the year 1990 we renovated lobby, cafeteria and bar for one the oldest hotels in the city. Twelve years later, the owner decided to re-engage Arkitektura to refresh the same areas. We used light wood paneling and leather seating for the lobby, and bar. The cafeteria design was inspired by the new growing cacao business in the country using murals with colored images of cacao plantations and factories, and decorative details utilizing tools from the making of chocolate.
Miriam’s Gym
1993 Completed Guayaquil, Ecuador 650 m2 Scope of Work Architectural Design Construction Interior Design Renovation The owner, inspired by Jane Fonda’s videos, created one of the first Gyms of the city. An existing building was renovated creating open spaces on three levels: reception areas, shop, and restrooms on ground floor; weights and machines on second floor; and aerobics on third floor. Facades were built with curtain walls, in order to have views on the surrounding areas, creating wide perspectives, and at the same time, allowing passersby to see people working out in the gym—inspiring them to participate in this new trend.
Salinas Yacht Club
1993 Completed Salinas, Ecuador 4900 m2 Scope of Work Construction Interior Design The Board of Directors decided to renovate the 3 main restaurants of the Salinas Yacht Club. Our projects was inspired by marine and yachting elements. We used wood paneling, nautical maps and flags, and all decorative elements were recovered from old dismantled ships and boats. The color scheme was also inspired by ocean and marine life colors.
La Rotonda Shopping Mall
1996 Completed Guayaquil, Ecuador 25000 m2 Scope of Work Architectural Design New Contruction Built at the beginning of the city’s shopping mall “era”, La Rotonda was designed with two anchors, one at each end of the complex, and a large atrium in the middle where all public corridors converge. Arkitektura sought to create a friendly atmosphere, with plenty of natural light flooding in from glass block roofs, lounges, and recreation spaces for children. We set design guidelines for retail facades and introduced a large textile mobile with vibrant colors, as a focal point in the central atrium. Elsewhere a neutral palette allowed the storefronts to become the dominant feature.
Policentro Shopping Mall Facades
2011 Completed Guayaquil, Ecuador 5000 m2 Scope of Work Architectural Design Construction Policentro decided to renovate its exterior facades in 2011. When it was built in 1980 the area was just starting to develop and the mall was the dominant building. During the last two decades, new construction has changes the urban landscape and it became imperative to update the malls image. Arkitektura’s new design increases the facade’s height with a metal structure that supports a system of aluminum compound panels in subtle multicolored combinations, allowing the mall to resurface in this new context. The project’s construction never interrupted regular opening hour and operations.
Policentro Shopping Mall Interior Renovation
2010 Completed Guayaquil, Ecuador 4500 m2 Scope of Work Architectural Design Construction Interior Design Arkitektura renovated the mall’s Central Atrium which had previously been a large fountain. Our project created the infrastructure for two freestanding food and beverage stands and a large central lounge with dining tables. Water was retained as a central decorative element, this time with a big water wall replacing the fountain, giving animation and freshness to the atrium. The remainder of the project focuses on public hallways, new ceilings, lighting, lounge areas, kiosks, and wall coverings. Arkitektura also created a design program governing the facades of all stores.
Policentro Shopping Mall Extension
2007 Competition Entry Guayaquil, Ecuador 14000 m2 Scope of Work Architectural Design Policentro, the first shopping mall that was built in Guayaquil, decided to grow and renovate the existing infrastructure, and create a competition for the creation a a new wing for additional retail space and a second level for parking. Arkitektura won the competition but due to the 2008 financial crisis the project remained unbuilt.
