Andes Mountains, Ecuador
Aaron Leppanen and Gabriela Anker from the firm Leppanen + Anker Arquitectura have created the new residence “Selva Alegre,” taking their inspiration from the surrounding environment and the Andes Mountains in Ecuador.
Working closely with the architectural team, the interior designers Veronica Burbano and Camila Burbano and the structural designer from EDIMCA – Rubechi Wood Technology, vision the project as a modern version of the historic Spanish hacienda that dominates the mountainous landscapes from Columbia to Peru.
The principal objective is to examine and reinvent the user experience of these centuries-old weekend escapes.
The traditional hacienda in Ecuador is meant to bring families and friends together in a lodge-like setting.
The location in the Andes creates an experience unlike any other, with a dramatic play of light and shadow that overwhelm the scenery.
The interior spaces are full of colorful artifacts and ornate handmade goods from local indigenous communities that are passed on from generation to generation.
The use of wood, stone, and clay tiles is the original material choice for these structures, some 300 years ago.
Over time this is changed to concrete block, stucco, and asphalt roofing.
The roof lines of the historic hacienda also are of great importance giving a strong feeling of grandeur from inside and out, a destination.
Over time builders and architects modify their material and design choices, which also consequently change the experience.
The modern block and concrete box become prevalent for the sake of efficiency and lack of perspective.
The relationship between the built structure and surrounding mountains fades over time.
The concept is to return to the roots of the hacienda in terms of form and material.
Bring back the use of wood, stone, and clay but with a contemporary mindset.
A mindset that feels light and airy compared to the coldness of the existing hacienda experience.
Not only is this a more considerate approach, but also allows the return of the wood structure roofline.
The architectural designing team feels this is the opportunity for modernizing the hacienda from a formal perspective.
From a quality of living perspective, the open-air roofline creates another opportunity to utilize the chimney effect and allow for natural airflow throughout the entire house.
We are also interested in reducing the extensive use of concrete and cement that has been detrimental to the climate, specifically in regard to CO2 emissions.
The extensive use of CO2 sequestering timber makes that possible.
The originalintent is to source the wood locally, but the lack of sustainable forest industry in the region produces alternative searches.
This led to northern Europe where prefabricated timber systems prove to be the answer.
Initially received as an excessive process there is now a positive response, one of inspiration and a learning opportunity amongst the forest industry and various trade professionals and academics.
From the use of advanced manufacturing to the modern use of timber products to combing local and international experiences, there is much knowledge and information to gain in the local industry.
Additionally, in the design criteria, there is to be an emphasis on 360-degree views so as to be able to experience the dynamic relationship between the sun and mountains throughout the entire house.
To help achieve this three 20 -24 meter sin curve beams move fluidly to create expansive views.
These laminated wood beams not only allow for views, but also for efficiency.
One 6-meter radius mold is used for the 6 individual pieces of the beam structures.
The final result is a delicate balance of stone and glass that is blanketed by an energetic yet comforting wood structure that is truly complementary to the mountains that surround it.
The interiors follow the initial concept with beautiful modern textures and material artifacts that balance and activate the architectural space.
The main house is roughly 450 square meters in a hexagon-like shape.
The profile is approx. 20 meters x 20 meters with the center of the hexagon approximately 24 meters wide.
Heights range from 3.5 to 6.5 meters tall. In terms of materials, the wall and roof structures are made from European Spruce.
The exterior materials consist of local white and beige stone and laminated glass.
The interior ceiling is tongue and groove European Spruce.
The roof covering is locally made 10 cm by 10 cm clay tiles.
The interior bedroom floors are made from eucalyptus.
The rest of the interior floor is made of white micro stone and inlaid eucalyptus.
The pool is local marble.
All of the interior and exterior walls are insulated withrockwool.
The kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom furniture are provided by local manufacturing companies and tradesmen.
Window mullions are custom metal frames.
The fabrication process for the walls and roof structure is completely prefabricated.
To help this complex process the team developed a working parametric 3Dmodel that is shared between architects, engineers, fabricators, and the assembly team.
This allows for the 500 plus structural pieces to be assembled in a matter of 6 weeks.
The assembly fit perfectly on a raised slab with a crawl space foundation.
The crawl space allows for all plumbing, mechanical and electrical to easily be installed and coordinated.
The primary, secondary, and tertiary wood beams along with the 15 cm x 15 cm structural studs are all pre-CNC machine saw cut, this included all joints, notches, and connections.
The walls sit on a 20 cm tall aluminum base to eliminate humidity concerns.
The structural studs were then clad with 5/8” OSB and filled with mineral wool insulation.
The rest of the finishes are coordinated with a local contractor and used local materials.
Project: Selva Alegre
Architects: Leppanen Anker Arquitectura
Design Team: Aaron Leppanen, Gabriela Anker, Sofía Chávez, Ana Belén Acurio, Carolina Rodriguez, Janina Sánchez, Kevin Aragón, Gabriela Valdez, and Caroline Dieden
Interior Design: Insólito (Veronica Burbano,Camila Burbano)
Structural Design: EDIMCA – Rubechi Wood Technology
Construction and Engineering: Miguel Ángel Salazar, Francisco Vélez, Fabian Miño, Milton Perugachi, Rodrigo Lalaguaña, and Alberto Dionicio
Lightning: Highlights
Photography: Bicubik, Jag Studio
