Located in the historic center of Cuenca, this restaurant incorporates a bakery and traditional wood-burning ovens, promoting the preservation and use of these heritage buildings. The design employs a contemporary language that respects the fundamental principles of traditional architecture, emphasizing formal simplicity.
The property holds cultural heritage significance with environmental value and faces Mariano Cueva Street. The original structure featured a gable tile roof supported by three levels of adobe walls forming the front facade and two sides. Traditional construction techniques were used to restore and integrate these historic elements into the new design.
The project primarily consists of two building types: houses and terraces. The layout centers around a clean, well-ventilated central terrace filled with natural fibers. This design creates a front garden space and a two-story rear space connected by a pedestrian walkway. The roofs of both floors maintain the same height, slope, and materials as the neighboring buildings, preserving continuity with the surroundings.
For the original structure, the architect predominantly used steel to minimize the cross-section of structural elements, maximizing space efficiency and creating open, multifunctional floors. The introduction of brick and wood adds warmth and a local touch, while glass and white walls amplify natural light and enhance the sense of spaciousness.
The courtyard is an open-air space that invites reflection and explores the relationship between humans and nature. Historically, courtyards have been integral to various architectural styles across regions and eras. By studying this relationship, the project reinterprets the courtyard’s beauty and functionality in a contemporary context.
A reflective water mirror defines the terrace surface, intersected by natural light. At its center stands a blue Jacaranda tree, its vivid purple blossoms contrasting against the tranquil blue water. The gentle breeze rustles the leaves, birds visit occasionally, and the sky’s reflection shifts with passing clouds. The sound of raindrops creates ripples, and silence envelops the space. Together, these natural elements become the true architects of the project, embodying life and the passage of time.
Project Drawings
△ First floor plan (red marks front of building, black marks back)
△ Second floor plan (red marks front of building, black marks back)
△ Roof style diagram (red marks front of building, black marks back)
△ Section diagram
Project Information
Architect: IVÁN QUIZHPE ARQUITECTOS
Area: 120 m²
Project Year: 2019
Photographer: BICUBIK
Manufacturer: Fairis
Lead Architect: Iván Andrés Quizhpe
Construction: IVÁN QUIZHPE ARQUITECTOS
City: Cuenca
Country: Ecuador
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