A hybrid cultural/commercial project rendered in contemporary brick architecture by TEC in Quito, Ecuador is slated to be finished later this year. The Plaza Artesanal Reina Victoria will be a traditional artists market. TEC proposed several buildings of varying sizes that were joined by a courtyard.
One of the building’s most striking features is the screen-like wall of brick. Just behind it, still visible from the street, are many traditional murals. The screen wall offers a tantalizing view of these artworks. The murals serve as a transition while their position behind the screen is a way to coax people inside.
Click to see a larger image.
Click to see a larger image.
The firm told ArchDaily that the project includes underground parking, 50 small-scale businesses, restaurants, a cultural center, a courtyard and numerous public places on the second floor. They describe the overall experience as: “a traditional market stimulated by several complimentary activities that promote the nationally developed craft trade as a domestic and international tourist attraction.”
Click to see a larger image.
TEC was founded in 2013 by Pablo Castro Guijarro and Roberto Morales Guijarro. It is based in Quito, Ecuador and has offices in Madrid, Spain. As can be seen by the murals, the studio takes a multidisciplinary approach to its building projects. They state on their profile: “TEC understands it’s practice as a global network in which different teams participate in a project at different stages and levels which improves the work done, which have strengthened excellent collaborative relations, gaining the confidence that the clients have for the studio’s work.”
What do you think of this contemporary brick architecture? Let us know in the comments.
Renderings courtesy of TEC. Click to see a larger image.
Add your valued opinion to this post.