The Architect's Studio
Located in a historic residence in the traditional La Mariscal neighborhood in central Quito, this studio occupies a house originally designed by Francisco Durini—one of the first academically trained architects in the city and a key figure in bringing European architectural styles to early 20th-century Ecuador.
More than a renovation, this project is a dialogue with architectural memory. While preserving the footprint of the past, the interior was carefully reimagined with a contemporary gesture that enhances its historical character. The new architecture respectfully rests upon the inherited structure, cultivating an atmosphere of introspection, warmth, and order.
The space unfolds through a sequence of shelving, floating planes, natural wood finishes, and dark-toned walls that frame architectural pieces, books, travel mementos, and project archives. Both technical and natural lighting are orchestrated to support concentration and contemplation alike.
Here, design is not about protagonism, but about depth. This studio serves as a refuge and a thinking machine—a space where architecture is studied, critiqued, and projected. It pays tribute to history without falling into nostalgia, offering a new narrative rooted in respect and creativity.
View Original