Earth-colored apartment towers and curved balconies revealed in Ecuador
MVRDV has unveiled the design of a new residential project in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Design Features
The project is located on the bank of the Guayas River in Guayaquil and consists of six residential towers high above a mixed-use plinth that creates a lively “valley” and landscape on its surface, called “The Hills”.
With an area of 180,000 square meters, a mixed-use residential complex,
including retail and entertainment units, The Hills MVRDV is the first project in South America.
Project Features
Featuring earthy tones and flowing curved balconies,
the design draws inspiration from the many alcoves found in Guayaquil itself
– from the wide expanse of the river contrasting with the nearby mountains,
to the modern highland scenery on the shoreline against the colorful hillside settlements of Santa Ana Hill.
Designed by Quito-based developer Uribe Schwarzkopf,
the project has been added as an exciting new addition to the Guayaquil skyline.
The project Location
Located in Puerto Santa Ana, the project expands an avenue that is gradually being incorporated along most of the city’s waterfront.
The six residential towers range in height from 92 to 143 meters,
and rise taller as you move away from the riverbank,
reflecting the way the city “rises” from the waterfront to the hills beyond.
Earth-colored apartment towers and curved balconies revealed in Ecuador
The base that fuses the towers together forms a green terraced valley and contains an oasis of swimming pools,
sports fields and a large urban amphitheater facing the river front,
all surrounded by lush natural vegetation.
Design shape
Within this base are shops, a large community club, and other amenities.
The studio is creating a deeper “valley” between the four towers located near the river and the two towers towards the city;
this provides additional spaces for the retail units,
while creating a pedestrian path to cross the site from ground level,
also allowing the construction of the project in two phases.
The complex is almost a city in itself, with towers of varying heights, so it’s a small skyline – but also part of a larger skyline along the Corniche.
And it was important that the project was not just an island in the city,
but also made access to others, and that it would return something in the form of a general rule.
So it’s a very exciting space for people to go to, a place where we hope people meet friends.
Meanwhile, the balconies that mark the towers provide space for green as well as protection from the sun and rain.
The project’s outer edges also take cues from the visual language of the adjacent tall buildings –
white balconies, arranged in straight perpendicular lines.
A different character of the development is also provided by the facades facing the space between the towers.
Earth-colored apartment towers and curved balconies revealed in Ecuador
The balconies are shaped by straight lines and flowing curves that create irregular setbacks and overhangs.
The desk, which uses earth tones on the lower levels as a material option,
gradually leaves it in lighter colors as it approaches the sky.
On all levels, the studio adds plenty of green space on the balconies,
extending the atmosphere of the central valley to the top of the surrounding “hills”.
The warm climate in Guayaquil also allows the office to add these features to develop a sustainable response throughout the development period.
For example, wide balconies shade the glass façade,
while tower positions and curved shapes improve ventilation, allowing breezes to flow through the site unimpeded.
The abundant green space aims to cool the surroundings, reduce the amount of energy required to cool the building,
and make the valley itself a comfortable and welcoming environment for both residents and visitors.
The building will provide a significant portion of the renewable energy for use in common areas and residences from photovoltaic cells.
In addition, the project will collect and store rainwater for use in garden irrigation,
while LED lighting and heat pumps will reduce the project’s overall carbon footprint.
Within the towers, The Hills offers a wide range of apartment sizes and types,
offering everything from small apartments for singles to apartments for families.
Combined with an abundance of amenities,
The Hills features a vibrant public program and abundant retail options, ensuring that the building is used throughout the day by a diverse group of residents and visitors –
making the building a dynamic and exciting new destination in Guayaquil.
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