Architects: La Cabina de la Curiosidad Photography: Bicubik PhotographyFrancesco Russo Construction Period: 2023 Location: Baños de Agua Santa, Ecuador
The two lodgings were developed in a stone quarry in the town of Baños de Agua Santa.
The land is nestled under the shadow of the Tungurahua Volcano, which was active for 20 years. Beside it flows the Pastaza River.
The property is divided into two sections, each with a distinct logic.
(1) The area where quarrying took place, which represents about 40% of the land. It stretches from the upper part down to the riverbed. Dump trucks, excavators, vibrating screens, and large volumes of stone dominate the surrounding landscape.
(2) The remaining area is either untouched or undergoing environmental remediation. This section holds various ecosystems with native vegetation. Due to the presence of different climate zones, the vegetation shifts accordingly: at higher elevations, achupallas and low Andean plants prevail; in the lower, shaded zones, where natural springs emerge, the vegetation is lush and humid.
A shift in model.
The family that owns the land is currently focused on transitioning from an extractive model toward one of ecological conservation. Their vision involves adventure tourism, taking advantage of the towering volcanic rock walls for climbing. They’ve introduced camping areas, and now, lodgings.
Lodgings that carry the memory of a quarry.
All obsolete items left behind by the quarry have been repurposed and revalued, forming a dialogue between time and memory that defines this unique context. The character of the lodgings is inseparable from that of the quarry itself.
In this process of spatial remediation, materials come from three sources:
(1) The natural context – The massive stones placed on site are remnants and absences of what was once extracted over the years; they now serve as structural supports. Along the 50-meter-high, 400-meter-wide cliff wall, flat stones have been deposited — these were used for the sinks. Gravel and sand were reused in walkways and outdoor spaces.
(2) Recycled materials – Vibrating screens and old oil pipeline tubes now serve as structural elements. Metal parts, carved stones, rods, and timbers (such as staves and beams) were salvaged from old constructions in Baños. A thick roll of steel cable, a scoop, small digger teeth, and other machinery spare parts were also reused. These recycled elements embrace the new visitors, creating spaces with the spirit and soul of the quarry while harmonizing with the native vegetation.
(3) The volcano – New pine and colorado wood provide the spatial quality and comfort needed for the interior of the lodgings and the shared dining area. The structures are built using two large trusses prefabricated on the ground — simple to make and easy to lift. The overall experience is that of an observatory, one that looks directly out at the Tungurahua Volcano, enhancing its majesty and grounding the visitor deeply in the spirit of the place.
Text provided by the architects.
