mojandita
architectural project:
house
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Ecuadorian Andes, this house engages deeply with its environment. Its design frames the surrounding landscape, opening up to the volcanoes Imbabura, Cayambe, Fuya Fuya, and Cusín, as well as the San Pablo lake. Each module of the house aligns with one of these natural landmarks, creating a sequence of spaces where the interior and exterior flow seamlessly together.
To integrate with the site, the house carves minimally into the mountain. This approach reduces excavation and minimizes the use of reinforced concrete, which is limited to the foundations to ensure seismic stability. The excavated earth is transformed into rammed earth walls, a method that merges the home with its surroundings, repurposing the mountain itself as the structural and insulating core of the house.
Rammed earth, a technique used both in the Andes and globally, was chosen for its ability to regulate temperature naturally. Soil tests conducted with engineer Patricio Cevallos confirmed the site’s soil was ideal for this method. The thick walls provide thermal mass, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night, effectively managing the region’s extreme temperature swings. This natural system is complemented by a single fireplace, ensuring a comfortable indoor climate without reliance on mechanical heating.
Energy efficiency extends to the windows, where double glazing was carefully considered to balance expansive views with thermal performance. This choice allows the house to capture solar warmth during the day while preventing heat loss at night.
The house is composed of five modular units, each measuring 25 square meters. These modules form a linear sequence, where the framed views shift as one moves through the house. The substantial wall thickness, up to 50 centimeters, offers deep niches that serve multiple functions—benches, shelves, or small tables—integrating utility and spatial fluidity within the same framework.
The project is currently in the early stages of planning, with construction anticipated to begin in 2026.
status: work in progress
year: 2024- present
area: 125m²
location: Mojandita Mirador, EC
team: LARVA (Angelina Thierer & Nicolás Gómez Herrera) & Patricio Cevallos
mojandita
architectural project: houseSet against the dramatic backdrop of the Ecuadorian Andes, this house engages deeply with its environment. Its design frames the surrounding landscape, opening up to the volcanoes Imbabura, Cayambe, Fuya Fuya, and Cusín, as well as the San Pablo lake. Each module of the house aligns with one of these natural landmarks, creating a sequence of spaces where the interior and exterior flow seamlessly together.
To integrate with the site, the house carves minimally into the mountain. This approach reduces excavation and minimizes the use of reinforced concrete, which is limited to the foundations to ensure seismic stability. The excavated earth is transformed into rammed earth walls, a method that merges the home with its surroundings, repurposing the mountain itself as the structural and insulating core of the house.
Rammed earth, a technique used both in the Andes and globally, was chosen for its ability to regulate temperature naturally. Soil tests conducted with engineer Patricio Cevallos confirmed the site’s soil was ideal for this method. The thick walls provide thermal mass, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night, effectively managing the region’s extreme temperature swings. This natural system is complemented by a single fireplace, ensuring a comfortable indoor climate without reliance on mechanical heating.
Energy efficiency extends to the windows, where double glazing was carefully considered to balance expansive views with thermal performance. This choice allows the house to capture solar warmth during the day while preventing heat loss at night.
The house is composed of five modular units, each measuring 25 square meters. These modules form a linear sequence, where the framed views shift as one moves through the house. The substantial wall thickness, up to 50 centimeters, offers deep niches that serve multiple functions—benches, shelves, or small tables—integrating utility and spatial fluidity within the same framework.
The project is currently in the early stages of planning, with construction anticipated to begin in 2026.
To integrate with the site, the house carves minimally into the mountain. This approach reduces excavation and minimizes the use of reinforced concrete, which is limited to the foundations to ensure seismic stability. The excavated earth is transformed into rammed earth walls, a method that merges the home with its surroundings, repurposing the mountain itself as the structural and insulating core of the house.
Rammed earth, a technique used both in the Andes and globally, was chosen for its ability to regulate temperature naturally. Soil tests conducted with engineer Patricio Cevallos confirmed the site’s soil was ideal for this method. The thick walls provide thermal mass, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night, effectively managing the region’s extreme temperature swings. This natural system is complemented by a single fireplace, ensuring a comfortable indoor climate without reliance on mechanical heating.
Energy efficiency extends to the windows, where double glazing was carefully considered to balance expansive views with thermal performance. This choice allows the house to capture solar warmth during the day while preventing heat loss at night.
The house is composed of five modular units, each measuring 25 square meters. These modules form a linear sequence, where the framed views shift as one moves through the house. The substantial wall thickness, up to 50 centimeters, offers deep niches that serve multiple functions—benches, shelves, or small tables—integrating utility and spatial fluidity within the same framework.
The project is currently in the early stages of planning, with construction anticipated to begin in 2026.
status: work in progress
year: 2024- present
area: 125m²
location: Mojandita Mirador, EC
year: 2024- present
area: 125m²
location: Mojandita Mirador, EC
team: LARVA (Angelina Thierer & Nicolás Gómez Herrera) & Patricio Cevallos