casa el pastizal rises from ecuador's vast landscape with rotating volumes by diez + muller

casa el pastizal rises from ecuador's vast landscape with rotating volumes by diez + muller

Object and Landscape: A Subtle Integration

 

Casa el Pastizal, designed by the architecture studio Diez + Muller, is a contemporary residence nested in the vast landscape of Machachi, Ecuador. The design approach emphasizes a harmonious relationship between the house and its natural surroundings, blending modern architecture with the inherent beauty of the Andean region.

 

The architects of Casa el Pastizal adopt an intuitive design process that emphasizes the connection between the built environment and nature. In a place of immense beauty and scale, the house’s fragmented volume is embedded into the landscape, almost effortlessly. Rather than imposing itself on the terrain, the building adapts to it, either sinking gently into the earth or rising and rotating to capture distant views. This careful manipulation of the topography allows the structure to merge with the environment while preserving the natural qualities of the site. The overall concept prioritizes a balanced dialogue between the existing landscape and the proposed architecture.

diez muller casa pastizal
images © JAG Studio

 

 

diez+muller curates an unfolding experience

 

Designing Casa el Pastizal, the architects at Diez + Muller position the entrance along a lower point on the land, where a lateral ascent leads visitors toward the house. From a distance, the vertical elements of the structure come into view, gradually revealing the full design. The journey to the house is a dynamic experience, where movement and observation of the vast surrounding landscape unfold naturally.

 

The dwelling’s design places emphasis on the passage between spaces, creating an emotional journey that invites contemplation of the landscape from different vantage points. One of the greatest challenges of this vast site is ensuring that the user’s experience remains intimate and grounded. To address this, the architects incorporate patios, viewpoints, and thresholds that frame the landscape, creating a sense of enclosure that prepares the visitor for entry into the home.

diez muller casa pastizal
Casa el Pastizal integrates subtly into the natural landscape, preserving the site’s beauty

 

 

Retreating into the Interior of Casa el Pastizal

 

In addition to its connection with the surrounding environment, Casa el Pastizal is designed by Diez + Muller as a retreat into the interior. The architecture provides spaces for quiet contemplation, where residents can disconnect from the everyday. The circulation through the house mirrors the experience of the external landscape — inviting pauses and moments of reflection. As light and shadow play across the surfaces, the rough textures and imperfections of the materials are revealed, adding character and depth to the spaces. These details highlight the beauty in simplicity, and they serve as a reminder of the subtle forces that shape the daily rhythm of life.

diez muller casa pastizal
the house adapts to the terrain, either sinking into the earth or rising to capture distant views

 

 

The materiality and construction systems of Casa el Pastizal are chosen for their ability to adapt to the specific challenges of the site. The design prioritizes flexibility, plasticity, and durability, responding to the unpredictable conditions of the Andean equatorial climate at 3,200 meters above sea level. Load-bearing walls support large, elevated beams that span up to twelve meters, allowing the structure to bear significant weight while integrating large volumes of earth on its slabs.

 

This feature enables the creation of green areas atop the house, fostering vegetation that further connects the architecture to the land. The relationship between the interior and exterior spaces is defined by large, open areas that blur the line between inside and outside, creating a spatial fluidity that contrasts with the solid mass of the concrete structure.

diez muller casa pastizal
the approach to the house is a dynamic journey that reveals the architecture gradually

diez muller casa pastizal
patios and viewpoints create an intimate connection with the vast surrounding landscape

casa-el-pastizal-diez-muller-ecuador-JAG-designboom-06a

load-bearing walls and beams support large spans, allowing for green areas on the roof

diez muller casa pastizal
the construction uses durable materials to withstand the Andean equatorial climate

casa-el-pastizal-diez-muller-ecuador-JAG-designboom-08a

the house offers spaces for retreat and contemplation, away from the everyday

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