Vivalto Apartments by Najas Arquitectos, Quito.

In designing this apartment building in Quito, Ecuadorian architecture firm, Najas Arquitectos was seeking to connect with nature and at the same time draw on history. And in doing so, the architects have demonstrated how homes with a patio are of benefit to the environment and to community socialising.

The Vivalto apartment building is located in the residential zone in the north of Quito and was designed by local firm, Najas Arquitectos, Its design moves pleasantly away from stereotypes to propose a new spatial relationship with the city and also amongst the occupants.



The architects based their concept on the traditional Moorish architecture of homes built around courtyards, where the central green space and the connecting corridors were the core elements of the overall composition, elements that historically demonstrated advantages both for the home’s indoor microclimate and for human relations, encouraged in turn by the common spaces.

So the Vivalto building is a single, six-storey building structured around an inner courtyard of 215 square metres. This patio is protected by a glazed roof and is open on the two sides of each connecting corridor. Which of course makes the most of natural ventilation, and prevents a greenhouse effect.

The apartments are arranged around this green heart, with concrete vertical facades and wood accents for the horizontal balcony facades.

A 320-square metre rooftop garden is located on the top floor, which also has community socialising and leisure facilities, with views over the city and onto the inner courtyard. The apartment building entrance connects with the district, so it integrates into and interacts with the urban environment.

The Vivalto building by Najas Arquitectos is thus testimony to the positive effect of combining architectural design history, sustainability and urban environment.

(Christiane Bürklein)

DESIGN: Arq. Esteban Najas Raad - NAJAS ARQUITECTOS
CONTRIBUTOR: Arq. Francisco Landázuri
CONSTRUCTION: Corprancagua – Ing. Francisco Soria, Arq. Milton Vallejo
LOCATION: Alberto Coloma Silva y Calle Gonzalo Endara Crown – Quito – Ecuador
PHOTOGRAPHY: Sebastián Crespo / Esteban Najas
YEAR: 2013
AREA: 7000m2