LB Building

Quito, Ecuador

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LB Building

Quito, Ecuador

Firm

arquitectura x

Type

Residential › Apartment
Commercial › Retail

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2023

SIZE

25,000 sqft - 100,000 sqft

BUDGET

$5M - 10M

LB Building
Apartments and shops
arquitectura x

Design and Supervision:
arquitectura x, Adrian Moreno, Maria Samaniego.
Santiago Armijos, Paula Cardenas, Chiara Stornaiolo, Macarena Reinoso.
Eco-efficiency:
ECODIVERCITY Carolina Proaño.
Client:
INMOZLION S. A.
Construction:
Marcelo Lara Ing.
Structural Engineer:
Juan Carlos Garcés
Photos:
Bicubik, Sebastián Crespo, Andrés Fernández

Image of mural by Jaime Andrade Moscoso courtesy of Jaime Andrade Heymann
Interior Design in apartment by Karla Martinez

In Ecuador, concrete structures with heavy block and brick walls, plastered and painted, represent the main construction method for any and every typology.

In the 2016 earthquake, almost all deaths were caused by building collapse; two thirds due to structural collapse, one third due to walls subsiding. All deadly collapses were concrete frames with heavy wall construction.

At the same time, this building method is extremely contaminating and wasteful, from the origin and production of the raw materials, to the nontechnical construction method as such, and specially, the intensive pollution of water at every stage.
It is also incredibly inefficient: for instance, more than 50% of the mix used for plastering walls and ceilings is wasted; more wood is contaminated and destroyed during construction, than is actually used in building components.

Although it is impossible to build with 0 waste and 100% efficiency, we must strive to develop local solutions to these problems. Sadly, the construction industry in Ecuador has very little motivation to change or set minimum goals, except for the Eco-efficiency Regulation introduced by the city of Quito in 2016. Intended to intensify density in exchange for eco-efficient construction, based on 3 main parameters:
Reduction of Water Consumption, Reduction of Energy Consumption, Environmental, Landscape & Technological Contributions.
The third parameter also aims towards earthquake-resistance and safety, in relation to lightweight, dry wall construction.

As a constant in our practice, we work towards reducing buildings to the essential systems and components necessary to make them dynamic supports for use, intrinsically related with their environment, natural and built.

For us, architecture must have a fundamentally integral, rather than reactive, relationship with reality; we understand it as a system, which is at the same time a component of its context, rather than an object imposed on it.

As such, we regard all architecture as an intervention on its pre-existing context, aiming to improve it, and consequently, the quality of life of its users.
Building technique and materials, how they are applied in relation to the environment, as both support and mediators, are essential considerations to achieve this.

At the same time, this de-objectification of architecture implies the elimination of formal predetermination or intent, in favor of fragmenting the building into sub-systems, their components and rules that relate them.

For many years, the work of modern Ecuadorian artist Jaime Andrade Moscoso has been especially important to us.
We have analyzed how he defined a spatial, formal and construction system, for some of his most significant stone mosaic murals in Quito.
Based on the tension between the orthogonal elements (the mosaics) and the use of the diagonal as a geometric rule to organize and compose spaces, figures, light and shade, he upends the notion of a tiled, flat configuration, or the mere graphic translation of a drawing into mosaic on a wall.

With one component and clear rules, he generates a system that is both innovative, but familiar. The strong geometry of the diagonal allows for a new reading on the specific organization of the stone pieces into form, whilst relating us to universal shapes, contrasts and tensions, like the ones we are used to seeing whenever light is projected on an object.

Just as importantly, it is designed as a construction system broken down into modules, related to the mosaic pieces and the diagonals.

For the LB building, the strategy of fragmentation using diagonals comes from the need to work with efficient orthogonal grids, while meeting the irregular shape of the plot, and becomes the geometric method applied to break up the boundary between the apartments and the city landscape. This works both ways as the building is perceived as scaled, open and permeable due to the fragmented geometry. But also due to the construction system.

The plan is organized around the central courtyard at ground level, with corresponding terraces on the upper floors and roof, opening to this space. The terraces facing the streets are fundamental for the geometric strategy of fragmentation and to make the building pervious to its environment.

The construction system uses fiber cement board siding in 240 x 30 cm. planks, as the main component. The diagonal is introduced in plan and section, (generating 45 cm. deep façades), to produce modules that organize and mediate: they can be arranged according to variations in use, interior-exterior relationships, to define privacy, protection from sun and rain, support for planting, and, as large soffits that define public use, at ground and roof levels.

From this, the rest of the building’s construction is defined. Diagonal modules for the façade, from 60 to 240 cm. in plan, assemble with 60 cm. diagonals in section, fragmenting the building in relation to the orthogonal grid of the structural and spatial systems, horizontally and vertically.

More than 250 planters are essential for the building, to generate living quality and scale, and combined with the depth of the façade, to regulate sunlight and control loss and gain in temperature.

Taking advantage of Quito’s moderate weather, the fiber cement board is left exposed and sealed, it works as the exterior skin of the building, it is not used as a cladding or part of a complex ventilated façade. The color and texture of the material avoids reflection of sunlight onto the street and neighboring buildings, or inside the apartments.

Commercial space is designed at ground and first floor levels in direct contact with the street to promote locally established uses, such as convenience stores, bakeries or restaurants, for people living in the building and the neighborhood.
In order for the building to work as part of the city and improve quality of life, it must be as permeable and welcoming as possible at ground level, eliminating all possible barriers and generating quality spaces with trees and greenery, using local species appropriate for urban environments. The new paving, combined with the planters, follows the same geometric strategy, extending it all the way to the street.

Swimming pool, gardens, roof gardens, BBQ and other common areas are designed to encourage recreation within the building; the swimming pool doubles as a reservoir.

The building meets all aspects of the Eco-efficiency Regulation defined by the city. Our project was used as a benchmark by the Municipality for its integral design and incorporation of these standards, and received an award for eco-efficient building design in December 2020.

Structure is combined concrete and steel; all interior walls and façade are lightweight construction in gypsum and fiber cement boards, reducing overall building weight by 54%.
Waste was calculated to be 70% less in volume; water used during construction 80% less.

All the fiber cement boards were imported directly to the building and stored in the garages. All steel was sourced locally; other materials and finishes are sourced locally in around 70%. Overall, materials that use recycling or can be recycled was calculated at 59%.
Glass was reduced to the necessary minimum.

Green roofs, roof gardens, terraces, central courtyard and planters retain 39% of the rainwater falling on the site, while another 16% is reused for irrigation. Water use per person is reduced in 45%.
The reduction in energy used for lighting, appliances and water heating is of 70%.
The number of carparks is reduced by 21%.

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