OVER design store displays dynamic interplay of concrete, steel, and glass

OVER: Gallery and Design Store blends with Urban fabric in Quito

Located in the traditional neighborhood of La Vicentina, in Quito, Ecuador, OVER: Gallery and Design Store is part of the Metropolitan Institute of Design ensemble. Positioned near the iconic Navarro Park, this structure aims to establish a cultural connection with the surrounding educational, commercial, and social activities of the area. The architectural design reflects the need for integration with the urban fabric and the institutional campus. The building’s relatively small footprint plays a significant role in shaping an urban facade on the eastern front of the campus. It connects the entrance pavilion with an existing structure situated at a higher level, bridging the urban streetscape and the institute’s internal spaces. The design introduces relational axes that allow the building to function independently while maintaining a seamless connection with both the city and the surrounding campus.

The project responds to the context through a clear division of public and private facades. Facing the institute, the facade remains closed to separate it from the adjacent parking area, while on the public side, a curvilinear glass surface at the corner introduces a dynamic transparency that blurs boundaries between public and private space. This design is enhanced by the absence of physical barriers, emphasizing open access from the street. Internally, the design is organized around a central circulation axis. This triple-height space connects the different levels and creates visual links with Navarro Park. The architecture emphasizes fluidity, offering a continuous flow of movement through spaces, with light and shadow interplay enhancing the spatial experience. Various textures, including concrete, steel, and glass, combine to create an engaging atmosphere.

all images courtesy of Instituto Metropolitano de Diseño | La Metro

Vertical Circulation and Fluid spaces organize the interior

The design of OVER: Gallery and Design Store by Instituto Metropolitano de Diseño centers on a transversal axis, organizing the interior with a triple-height space that facilitates vertical circulation. This axis also provides a visual link to Navarro Park through a bridge connecting to an existing staircase, seamlessly integrating the new structure into the institution’s circulation system. The building’s boundaries are approached with a balance between openness and closure. A curvilinear glass facade on the ground floor softens the corner and emphasizes visual permeability between the public and private realms, while a robust concrete plane defines the urban edge. The curved design of the ground floor further eliminates barriers, allowing continuous access from the street to the building’s interior.

For the internal spatial organization, the designers draw on the concept of a ‘promenade architecturale’ to reflect a fluid yet structured design. The interplay of light, shadow, and spatial elements creates an experiential journey through the building. Baroque-inspired complexity is introduced through juxtaposed elements, including hanging vegetation and a central staircase. This staircase is not only a functional connection between levels but also a central design feature, uniting materials like concrete, steel, and glass. Strategically placed windows and connections to open spaces allow users to experience the internal space, the surrounding institutional area, and the urban environment from multiple perspectives.

curvilinear glass facade on the public side introduces visual permeability between public and private spaces

interplay of concrete, steel, and glass defines OVER’s design

The project emphasizes flexibility with open-plan areas that can be reconfigured for different uses. Spanning 175 sqm over three floors, the ground floor features a 55 sqm exhibition space with direct access to Iberia Street. The second floor, connected by a bridge, houses a 65 sqm art and design store, with a secondary entrance to the institution. The third-floor terrace café offers 55 sqm of open space, surrounded by greenery, visually linking the interior with the surrounding park and campus.

The formal composition of the project is characterized by a trapezoidal floor plan that responds to the intersection of the site’s external and internal axes. This configuration allows the building to absorb geometric irregularities, adding complexity. Exposed concrete serves as the primary material, with glass elements inserted to maintain a dialogue between interior and exterior. The corner, in particular, is visually lightened by the glass, creating a contrast with the mass of concrete. Steel elements, including stainless and brightly colored common steel, provide additional texture and visual interest, with the yellow-colored steel tying into the building’s branding. This material interplay reinforces the project’s formal and conceptual coherence.

the building is positioned near Navarro Park, integrating with the area’s educational and social activities