Ecuador boasts an extraordinary variety of landscapes. These range from the Amazon rainforest in the east, across the Andes Mountains, rising to over 20,500 ft, and the agriculturally dominated coastal region, to the Galápagos Archipelago, located nearly 560 miles off the mainland in the Pacific Ocean. Geographical diversity strongly forges Ecuador's contemporary architecture. Traditional building materials and techniques are combined with innovative design strategies that respond to the country's unique environmental conditions. Faced with major economic and political challenges, Ecuadorian architects push boundaries with a spirit of innovation and a strong commitment to sustainability. Their designs serve communities with vastly different social and economic needs and position the country at the forefront of the fight against climate change.
Ecuador: A Journey Through Architecture, Culture and Land documents for the first time the country's contemporary architectural scene. Some 20 featured buildings exemplify how the designs interact with landscape, urban life, and communities, in a fascinating interplay of architecture, environment, and culture. This is interwoven with a personal travelogue by the two authors and photographers Francesco Russo and Luca Piffaretti.