natura futura arquitectura completes urban social housing project in ecuador

located in the city of babahoyo, provincia de los ríos, ecuador, ‘house for someone like me’ is built on a vulnerable and insecure suburb, with a fast-growing population that has opened the possibility for new constructions. vero, the owner, is a young entrepreneur and mother of two, who manages her own business selling fruits and vegetables in the center of the city. for her, natura futura arquitectura considered a dwelling that makes the best out of the small lot, a 7×20 meter space. the design proposes a two-bedroom house, with an open space that consists of a dining room, living room, kitchen, bathroom, and courtyard.

different materials were used to create compositions that complete the house
all images by cristhian guerrer

the materials used for construction involve basic typologies of envelopes that use composition as a tool for exploration where masonry concrete blocks overlap with bricks. as for the doors and windows, they use traditional wood and metal, mostly as a response to the tropical climate of the region. to foster the dialogue with the outside, the doors of the living room are folded, generating a connective space that converges in different activities.

the interior integrates the different aspects of living

the composition of the enclosure seeks to establish a visual relationship between the interior and exterior, resulting from the openness, the sense of belonging, security, community, confidence, and care, encouraging good-neighborly relations. the result is an architecture that encourages the what reflects on its social role on needing communities.

recycled lamp

concrete floors and exposed brick walls compose the interior

night view from the street 

night view from the courtyard

convergence of activities

night view from the interior to the street

building process 

Floor Plan

isometric view

project info:

architects: natura futura arquitectura
location: babahoyo, ecuador
architect in charge: josé fernando gómez m
construction area: 85 m2
year project: 2016
photographs: cristhian guerrero

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: juliana neira | designboom