jean nouvel's 'aquarela' residential development completes first phase in ecuador

the first phase of ‘aquarela’, a jean nouvel-designed residential development in the cumbaya neighborhood of quito, ecuador has been unveiled. externally, the project is defined by its use of greenery and vegetation — responding to its environment and context. the stone exteriors result in a façade that responds to the physical space where it is situated, with native plants from the region intertwining with the exterior façade.

all images courtesy of architect: jean nouvel – ateliers jean nouvel / associated architect: alberto medem – humboldt arquitectos, unless otherwise stated

conceived as a monolith, the ‘aquarela’ complex has an interior courtyard that has been designed by ateliers jean nouvel — alongside associated architect alberto medem/humboldt arquitectos — to feel like a mountain pass with more than 1,000 square meters of vertical gardens. from here, residents can access a suite of amenities that includes a bowling alley, a music room, and a mini golf course. all communal amenities, which can be seen in the gallery at the bottom of this page, are already complete as residents begin to move in.

with interiors designed by uribe schwarzkopf, on site amenities include: an ice skating rink, bowling alley, music room, a mini golf course, multiple screening rooms, kids and teen rooms, game room, mini-soccer field, squash and outdoor tennis courts, an semi-olympic sized pool, and jacuzzis with spa with a sauna and steam room. the development will also feature semi-private rooftop pools for each tower, a fitness room with spinning and yoga studios, a hair salon and barber shop, a pet spa, events rooms and lounge areas, as well as a business center and meeting rooms.

‘the collaboration with jean nouvel studio has been an extraordinary experience for uribe schwarzkopf, bringing cutting-edge international architecture to ecuador,’ says joseph schwarzkopf of uribe schwarzkopf. ‘the design of the amenities and internal areas of the project has led our team to really innovate and go beyond the conventional. with 12,000 square meters of amenities, the residents of aquarela have access to all the services of a private club without leaving their homes. this dramatically improves quality of life and contributes to a healthier, more sustainable city, but also saves time, the one asset we can’t buy or get back.’

the team behind the project also states that the scheme follows an ‘eco-efficiency matrix’ which dictates the conscious use of materials, construction systems, and technical design. these have been developed to generate the least possible impact when it comes to the use of non-renewable resources (electrical energy saving, use of potable water, collecting and reusing rainwater, water treatment, irrigation systems, etc), demonstrating commitment to environmental responsibility. see other projects in ecuador on designboom here.

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project info:

name: aquarela
location: isidro ayora and avenida interoceánica, quito, ecuador
architectural team:​ ateliers jean nouvel
associated architects:​ alberto medem – humboldt arquitectos S.A
architect of record: uribe schwarzkopf
interiors:​ uribe schwarzkopf
number of units:​ 573 apartments, 2 commercial units
number of floors​: 7 – 10, varies per tower
communal amenities: m​multiple doorman attended lobbies, grand interior courtyard, ice skating rink, bowling alley, music room, mini golf course, multiple screening rooms, kids and teen rooms, game room, mini-soccer field, squash and outdoor tennis courts, large pool with jacuzzi for entire complex and multiple semi-private rooftop pools for each tower, fitness room with spinning and yoga studios, spa with sauna, steam room, splash pool, and jacuzzis, hair salon and barber shop, pet spa, events rooms and lounge areas, as well as a business center and meeting rooms.