rooftop observatory by 'la cabina de curiosidad' links to mountains of quito

with a new observatory, ecuador-based studio la cabina de la curiosidad presents a design-minded approach to a roof renovation in quito. the team, led by daniel moreno flores and marie combette began the project in an effort to repair the severely deteriorated and dangerous structure. in doing so, the house saw a new, magnified relationship with its context and the introduction of a rooftop observatory. the team developed the space to suit the lifestyle of the client, an artist with a deep connection to the natural surroundings.

images © andrés villota pelusa

with its rooftop renovation and observatory, la cabina de la curiosidad pays tribute to the beautiful territory surrounding the site. the city of quito is nestled into a vast mountainous landscape, the pichinchas, and follows the slopes of the andes. while the city has grown at a steady and rapid rate, the design team notes that the population has gradually begun to forget its very special geographical situation. under these circumstances, the typical structures across the city do not have direct links with the mountains and volcanoes.

with its rooftop observatory intervention, la cabina de la curiosidad introduces four territorial connections. the first is a periscope from the entrance to the house on the upper floor. just by looking up, one focuses on the condor huachana mountain, drawing it inside the house as a part of daily life. taking advantage of the modified roof, the interior receives a renewed, a double-height space expressed with plywood. meanwhile, a storage space that has had a direct connection with the roof is transformed into a ‘containing nest’ with an incision that generates a link with the mountain. lastly, toward the rooftop, leisure spaces are designed which connecting the user with the territory and its different mountains. here, all the sunsets and sunrises can be registered.

the design team comments on the lifestyle of the client, which had informed its rooftop observatory: ‘pilar, the client, has always drawn one of the pichinchas, condor huachana, always in the same position, focusing and valuing this mountain. with a colour pencil technique, she has recorded a collection of mountains that have been made at different times, marking the changes in light and the different temporalities. understanding this, the proposed architecture is the intensification of the condor huachana mountain, the relationship of the house with the eastern mountain range, the pichinchas and the snowy cotopaxi.’