Project description by jury

Cities like Quito have uncountable underused flat rooftops that can be transformed to become a strategic resource for urban densification. The project proposes the installation of housing modules to inhabit the unoccupied roofs of existing buildings in a form of urban commensalism. Juxtaposing an extra layer over an existing construction, the strategy is sustainable across many facets: avoiding land speculation and urban sprawl, using existing facilities and infrastructure – thereby offering significant potential for financial savings – and providing affordable housing opportunities for the population.

As a Main category prize winner in the regional Holcim Awards 2020, Accommodating Above in Ecuador automatically qualified as a finalist in the Global Holcim Awards 2021.

View Global Holcim Awards Entry – Accommodating Above in Ecuador

The built environment has a significant role to play in addressing climate change and enabling the transition to a net-zero and more inclusive future. The Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction global winners showcase the cutting edge of approaches to sustainable design, green architecture, and materials innovation. The 6th cycle of the competition saw a double-prizewinning entry in Latin America: A project in Colombia won the Global Holcim Awards Silver as well as Gold at the regional level. The global prizes were presented at a handover ceremony at the International Architecture Biennale in Venice, Italy. The regional Holcim Awards Main category winners for Latin America were recognized at the same event.

The city as an opportunity

Latin American cities have grown under “development” models that promote the construction and speculation on the outskirts rather than consolidating what already exists. In many cases the result of this practice has depopulated the central area of many cities. As citizens, we have not questioned how the city is being built, nor who benefits from this growth. We just copy models of “supposed development” and do not stop to see new and innovative answers in what already exists. Orchestrated Squatting finds in the city a new way to inhabit: settle down parasitic housing on flat terraces, making use of countless underutilized city spaces, creating a new habitable layer at very low cost and without involving large urban economic investments.

CO2 emissions reduction is tackled from three axes: constructive system, built area and lifestyle.

• Constructive system: The structure is made of unprocessed wood (sawn only), the cladding is made of standard plywood taking full advantage of its size, there are no unique pieces, everything is prefabricated and lightweight, dry constructed and easy to assemble.
• Built area: A simple equation, if we use 12 sqm to solve the exact same necessities as if we used 60 sqm, we are helping to reduce the pollution associated with the construction industry even if we use top notch sustainable construction technologies.
• Lifestye: a small space constantly puts face to face the user with its demands for living. It makes you wonder if you need everything you have and realize you could live with less.