Ágape Colectivo Terapéutico

Design Team: Rama Estudio
Size： 225 m²   
Location：Tumbaco, Ecuador

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Feature：

Project - Nestled in Tumbaco, Ecuador, Rama Estudio has crafted a remarkable mixed-use building that seamlessly blends therapeutic spaces with residential quarters. The Ágape Colectivo Terapéutico project is a masterclass in sustainable architecture, paying homage to vernacular construction techniques while ushering them into the modern era. At the heart of this endeavor lies a meticulously crafted rammed earth enclosure, creating a serene, pedestrian-friendly oasis within the urban landscape. The timber and earth structure that follows embraces this central courtyard, its transparent and permeable facade fostering a harmonious connection with the natural surroundings. On the ground floor, a multipurpose room for yoga, theater, and concerts takes center stage, accompanied by a therapeutic arts space for sculpture and painting. Upstairs, a comfortable apartment with a studio and balcony offers a tranquil retreat. What truly sets this project apart is its innovative structural system, reminiscent of a woven basket. The main facade comprises a sequence of slender triangles formed by laminated wood beams, assembled on the ground and mounted on a continuous metal strip. This ingenious design not only preserves the integrity of the earthen walls but also provides occupants with an outward view while reclining on the multipurpose room's floor. Rama Estudio's masterful blend of traditional techniques and modern sensibilities has given rise to a built environment that breathes life into its surroundings, fostering a profound connection between space, user, and nature.

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Design Team - Founded in Ecuador, Rama Estudio is an innovative architectural, design, urban planning, and construction practice at the forefront of resource optimization through experimentation. Established in 2010 by co-founders Carolina Rodas, Carla Chávez, and Felipe Donoso, the collaborative firm takes an integrative approach, relating scales from territorial to object design to comprehensively address social, cultural, and spatial challenges.Rama Estudio's work has been widely acclaimed, with accolades including the top prize in the 2014 and 2020 Pan-American Architecture Biennial for rehabilitation and recycling projects. The firm's designs have been published globally and selected to represent Ecuador at prestigious events like the Mies Crown Hall Americas in Chicago and the Venice Biennale. The multidisciplinary team, led by the three co-founders who hold masters degrees from renowned institutions like UPC Barcelona and UPM Madrid, specializes in sustainable and recursive architecture solutions. Their human-centric approach prioritizes creating lasting social impact by optimizing existing built environments rather than starting from scratch. With a portfolio spanning residential, cultural, and urban interventions, Rama Estudio continues pushing boundaries through material and digital fabrication explorations. Their rigorous yet poetic design methodology positions them as leaders crafting an architecture of longevity that enhances the Latin American context.