natura futura + frontera sur build a system of adaptable living and recycling in ecuador

natura futura arquitectura and frontera sur arquitectura have collaborated on la comuna, a project that combines various recycling facilities made out of containers which are differentiated by their colors, and one wooden structure that adapts according to the living demands of its users. located at the city of  huaquillas, el oro, ecuador, the project seeks to maintain a constant dialogue with the development of the city through various activities that develop on both its inside and outside.

combining productive and domestic spaces, la comuna comprises several ‘artifacts’, located in strategic places in the city. natura futura arquitectura and frontera sur arquitectura have also incorporated an adaptive housing module, which is merged with the production spaces according to the needs of the family. a self-managed space, the wooden housing structure features a system of openings and a flexible interior space, where users can arrange their everyday space as they want through rotating panels. on the upper floor, three modules add to the flexible nature of the structure with furniture on wheels that can easily be moved around.

la comuna becomes a milestone for huaquillas due to its transforming nature and positive impact on the city’s history of unsanitary conditions and pollution. the project communicates awareness through its façade with a word, allowing the public to reflect on recycling through architecture. ‘the project is born on the initiative of a foundation and a private company of how to improve the habitat of a family that is dedicated to recycling in unhealthy conditions and without adequate space to perform the operations that the process entails’, note the architects.

project info:

name: la comuna (productive space + adaptive housing)

architects: natura futura arquitectura + frontera sur arquitectura

location: huaquillas, el oro, ecuador

contributors: farmacias mia, fundación comunidad solidaria,mikaella dominguez, daniela cabrera, yober aguirre, dalton aguirre, mayra ramirez, jose arias, veronica astudillo, leopoldo bravo, elizabeth peralta, betty alvarado, gabriela torres, paul coello, eduardo cruz, malena quim, herman laroze, antonio moreno

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: sofia lekka angelopoulou | designboom