Ecuador, between Architecture and Nature
Photographic dialogues between City and Nature in Contemporary Architecture in Ecuador.
Ecuador, a small nation bordered by Colombia and Peru, features a rich diversity of landscapes, from the Andes and Amazon rainforest to the Pacific coast and the Galápagos Islands. Its contemporary architecture responds to this environmental and geographic diversity, often blending vernacular construction techniques and local materials with modern design solutions.
This photographic documentation delves into the evolving identity of Ecuador through its contemporary architecture, exploring how it engages with the natural surroundings, urban conditions, and social contexts.
It reveals the dynamic interplay between design, environment, and culture, showcasing how architecture shapes and responds to the spaces we inhabit.
Between 2023 and 2024, photographers Francesco Russo and Luca Piffaretti documented more than 40 projects by renowned local architectural practices such as Al Borde, Duran & Hermida, Emilio López, José María Sáez, La Cabina de la Curiosidad, MCM+A, Natura Futura, RAMA Estudio, and many others.
The selected projects expertly combine creativity and technology with renewable resources, showcasing how, despite the current economic, climatic, and political challenges in the country, architecture can create high-quality spaces that meet modern demands for sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Featuring the work of Luca Piffaretti and Francesco Russo.
The project was first exhibited as part of the Quito Architecture Biennale 2024 programme in the Ecuadorian capital.
Invited by the Quito Architecture Biennale, the photographers returned to Ecuador in November 2024 to showcase their ongoing work to an international audience at the Museum Muñoz Mariño, housed in a stunning colonial building in the heart of the city's historic centre.
The exhibition unfolds through a fluid and immersive narrative, where the photographers' works seamlessly interweave, guiding visitors on a visual journey through the diverse landscapes and environments that define the South American nation.
Exhibited:
Museo Muñoz Mariño, Nov 2024, Quito, Ecuador
