estudio felipe escudero designs glass nucleus to overlook laboratory in ecuador

estudio felipe escudero recently completed the ‘cepario’, a space dedicated to the meticulous growth of bacteria in ecuador. the futuristic design features a curved cantilevered hub that overlooks an open laboratory space. from the top, viewers and employees can oversee the processes and research happening underneath at the large area at a human scale. however, when looking into the microscopes, they can see the intricate, miniature life of the bacteria being studied at a microscopic level. the change in scales from the human to the bacterial is further emphasized in the extensive spaces contrasting the nature of the work. 

all images © jag studio

the architect organized the biotechnology plant in three spaces that relate to the growth of bacteria: storage, laboratory and a lounge. they are all organized around an elevated, glazed nucleus that informs viewers about the processes. the nucleus shows how agricultural residue turns into rich nutrients that fuel other species. the architect explains how ‘entering this nucleus is like transporting yourself to the essence of what is behind the healthy growth of fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers.’

the lounge area is where ideas are incubated and then executed in the rest of the spaces. a sofa is oriented towards the extensive view of the valley to take relaxing and recharging breaks. the mountains, in the background, are elements of inspiration and awareness of scales, removing the workers and visitors alike from the minuscule particles and processes that happen inside the laboratory to the wide landscape.

the project’s floor plan resembles the operation system held inside the company. the space is organized symmetrically: on one side of the laboratory, strains are analyzed and processed, while the other sides provides storage space. the architecture allows the circulation between the spaces to flow continuously as yet another cycle of bacterial life is completed under the workers’ own eyes.

project info:

architecture and construction: efe – estudio felipe escudero

creative director: felipe escudero

project manager: daniel naranjo, esteban naranjo

design team: daniel naranjo, esteban naranjo, felipe escudero

glass contractor: dimalvit – daniel franco

structural design: joel muela

client: biosiembra

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: cristina gomez | designboom