STONE HOUSE

Cuenca, Ecuador

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STONE HOUSE

Cuenca, Ecuador

Firm

INAI ARQUITECTURA

Type

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2016

SIZE

0 sqft - 1000 sqft

BUDGET

$50K - 100K

CASA DE PIEDRA (House of Stone)
This project comprises of 145 Sq. meters, which are distributed in two architectonic floors and one terrace.
The geographical location for this construction plays an important factor since is located at the base of a lower cliff, in Turi, a natural observation center in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. There were some structural walls made of pebbles, remainings of an old, run down construction. These were originally built as containment walls to support the 30% of natural slope of the terrain. Is because of this that they are incorporated in the design as a formal and structural part of it.

The purpose was the construction of a small, single-family home, with the basic spaces for the daily activities of life, functional, with a local and contemporary flare at the same time.
The original design contains materials of local origin; walls made of piled up rocks and stones, placed were the original walls from the former construction once stood.
The structure of the roof made of exposed wood with a layer of hand-made, artisanal raw clay shingles and dried reed as ceiling. Bricks of clay to cover some of the walls, and a layer of raw clay “empañetado” in others.
This great source of traditional native materials incorporated in the architectonic design offer a popular feeling of coziness in the buildings in the area and they blend with the contemporary features of this project, with large window panels commanding the north facade, where one can indulge in magnificent views of the city.

Some other new, younger materials were incorporated. The ceramic flooring with traditional Hydraulic tile designs to accentuate the style, the glass planks over a wooden structure on the interior staircase, with its avant-garde appearance, contrasts with the rustic style in the room; wooden doors with decorative cast iron rivets and banisters in raw cast iron, and of course, accent furniture pieces, were hand picked meticulously to stress the language between the traditional and contemporary styles.

The distribution of space is very simple. Because of the topography, the main access to the house is located on the top level. One can reach the main entrance by a great stone staircase, which connects both levels of this project.
Right before this entrance, we can find a pergola covered terrace to enjoy the views, followed by a grand wooden door leading to the bedrooms hall on the same level, and the glass staircase down to the social area on the lower floor.

The second floor has two bedrooms facing the north, wooden floors and one full bathroom adjacent.
The separation between both bedrooms is done by a custom made, two-sided closet wall.
The breathtaking views of the city aren’t the only attraction in these rooms. If we look up, we could observe the artisanal construction of the ceiling and its wooden beams.
We can access these areas of the house through an exhibition hallway with a window, offering natural light and ventilation overlooking directly to one of the supporting walls. It may not seem an attractive feature of the house, however one can appreciate the moss growing in between the rocks, and on a rainy day, the raindrops running down the vegetation. A peculiar, vintage radio collection belonging to the proprietors of the house compliments this place.

On the lower level the living and dining room have an open concept, one ½ bathroom and the kitchen, all connected through a hallway parallel to the main façade, enjoying of the visual spectacle of the whole city at your feet. The floor covering in this hallway is made of ceramic.

In regards of the exterior spaces, we maintained the original landscape of the mountain, preserving the vegetation and shrubbery proper to the area.

Paul Vazquez Espinoza
INAI Arquitectura.

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STONE HOUSE

Cuenca, Ecuador

STONE HOUSE

Cuenca, Ecuador

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team