Nestled in the rural outskirts of Quito, Ecuador, this Andean residence by Correa + Fatehi | Odd redefines sustainable architecture by building with the earth rather than on it. A three-level marvel, the home emerges from the terrain as if discovered, not constructed. Its design embraces partial residency and dynamic landscaping, unfolding around a mobile platform that creates a living environment both rooted and fluid—where architecture, movement, and land engage in silent dialogue.

A Deceptively Simple Exterior

From the street, the home presents a minimalist, compact silhouette straightforward and quiet. Yet this simplicity is deliberate. Instead of sprawling horizontally, the structure climbs vertically into the hillside, revealing three terraced levels that respond to the natural topography. Each floor aligns with the land’s contours, crafting interconnected spaces that feel grounded yet expansive. The layout balances privacy and openness: some areas are carved deep into the earth, while others open to gardens, light, and sky.

The Breathing Brick Façade: Adobe Reimagined

The standout feature is its custom adobe brick façade, where each brick is cast from the very earth excavated on-site. This “living” skin naturally regulates temperature and light, embodying sustainability. Strategically placed perforations in the bricks capture daylight, transforming walls into luminous screens by night giving heavyweight masonry an unexpected sense of lightness.

A Journey Through the Landscape

Access to the home is an experience in itself:

• A winding ramp, inspired by ancient Chaqiñán Andean trails, weaves through native plantings.
• The path culminates in a monumental earthen wall, blurring the line between built and natural. Here, the landscape isn’t just a backdrop it’s folded into the architecture, creating thresholds that feel discovered, not designed.

The Rooftop Oasis

At the top level, a linear pool mirrors the horizon, flanked by manicured grass. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels dissolve boundaries; on warm days, sliding doors merge interior and exterior, uniting water, architecture, and mountain views.

The Staircase as Sculpture

A dramatic black-concrete staircase slices through the home like a carved void. Its narrow, vertical form emphasizes compression and release as one moves between floors. Far from utilitarian, it’s a central architectural element, contrasting the softness of earthen walls and dappled light.

The Heart: A Transformative Elevator Platform

The home’s core features a mobile elevator platform that redefines spatial dynamics. Depending on its position, rooms expand, contract, or overlap—creating a fluid “spatial dance.” This innovation allows the home to remain compact without feeling confined, turning verticality into an opportunity for play.

Final Thoughts: An Architecture That Listens

By treating earth as both material and muse, Correa + Fatehi | Odd crafted a residence that feels inevitable as if it always belonged. With its responsive materials, sculpted terrain, and kinetic interiors, this is a home that listens as much as it speaks.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

This Andean home masterfully bridges tradition and innovation, using locally sourced adobe to create a façade that breathes with the climate. The vertical integration with the hillside is poetic, though the reliance on a mobile elevator platform while ingenious may raise questions about long-term maintenance in a rural setting. Yet, the project’s true brilliance lies in its humility: by letting the landscape dictate the design, the architects have crafted a space that feels timeless, proving sustainability and beauty can coexist organically.