Historically, Quito, Ecuador was dominated by low-rise buildings. However, more than a decade ago, following the relocation of the city center airport, Quito’s skyline began to transform. As the city expanded vertically, Uribe Schwarzkopf commissioned BIG in 2017 to design a mixed-use residential building covering approximately 36,232 square meters. The project includes 215 residential units, commercial spaces, offices, and various amenities. Besides the IQON building, BIG and Uribe Schwarzkopf are also collaborating on the nearby EPIQ residential building, which is slated for completion in 2023.
The IQON building is conceived as a vertical community, designed to extend the adjacent La Carolina Park right up to its facade. Its distinct curved corner is wrapped with terraces along the perimeter, offering residents panoramic views of the park, the city, and the Pichincha volcano.
The building’s architectural identity is defined by a minimalist aesthetic, featuring raw exposed concrete as its structural backbone. Independent ‘pixel’ units are rotated and stacked within the 32-story height to optimize views and create spacious terraces for each apartment. The design integrates local trees and plants, leveraging Ecuador’s temperate climate and remarkable biodiversity—the country holds the highest number of plant species per square meter worldwide.
The ground-level plaza features generous public spaces, retail units, and areas for public art exhibitions. It also creates a new east-west passageway, linking the park with surrounding neighborhoods. Inside the lobby, the material palette shifts from the building’s raw minimalism to a refined elegance: marble flooring complements a custom wooden reception desk, while concrete accents adorn the facade. Deep emerald green tiles on the ceiling and mailboxes extend into the elevator lobby beyond the black steel gates.
The building embraces a pro-life design philosophy, extending from public spaces on the ground floor to the private terraces of each residence. Sculptural concrete flower pots are integrated into the structure, doubling as unique artworks and planting areas. These pots accommodate tree roots on the terraces, while the facade itself becomes a tribute to Quito’s rich biodiversity.
IQON functions as an urban forest farm. Once the trees planted in the terraced pots outgrow their containers, they can be transplanted to parks throughout Quito. This cyclical relationship connects the park to the building and back, creating a sustainable green loop.
The rooftop features an integrated swimming pool and terrace, offering residents a serene space to unwind while enjoying city views. Additional amenities include a gym, squash court, spa center, bowling alley, entertainment room, and a business center. The IQON Building is notably the first mixed-use building in Quito to achieve EDGE Primary Certification, awarded jointly by the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Project Information
Architect: Bjarke Ingels Group
Area: 55,000 m²
Project Year: 2022
Photographers: BICUBIC, Pablo Casals Aguirre
Managing Partners: Bjarke Ingels, Thomas Christoffersen
Project Architects: Lucia Sanchez Ramirez, Stephanie Choi
Design Team: Amir Mikhaeil, Andrea Di Pompeo, Angel Barreno Gutiérrez, Benjamin Caldwell, Benjamin Novacinski, Chi Yin Kwok, Chengjie Li, Claire Djang, Clara Sanfeliu, Deborah Campbell, Douglass Alligood, Francesca Portesine, Jason Wu, Jan Leenknegt, Josiah Poland, Juan David Ramirez, Ma Ning, Magdalena Narkiewicz, Margaret Tyrpa, Maria Sole Bravo, Peter Sepassi, Rune Wriedt, Sebastian Grogaard, Sijia Zhou, Stephanie Choi, Stephanie Mauer, Terrence Chew, Tracy Sodder, Ying Yi Cai, Ziad Shehab
Local Structural Engineers: Rene Lagos Engineers and Fernando Romo
Project Consultant: Estrusa
Civil Consultant: Geo Estudios
Mechanical Consultant: Trialmech
Pipeline Consultant: Incoayam
Electrical Consultant: Consel
Location: Quito, Ecuador
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