Mezze Residence #2 designed by Esteban Najas is part of a set of four private houses located in Quito, Ecuador, on the Tumbaco Valley, on the northwestern foothills of the Ilaló inactive Volcano. The preexistence of many avocado and lemon trees on the site, and the direct views of the volcano where the precursors of many design decisions which had to be weaved with the owners requirements to have a house that required to have seemingly opposite qualities of privacy and transparency. Photography by BICUBIK.

.

Thru the main access, a great avocado tree welcomes the frontal façade which embodies the spirit of privacy with a concrete volume that, has almost no openings, and folds diagonally to the main wood entrance door.
Upon entering, the natural environment is revealed past the main social hall and kitchen which is contained by a high ceiling concrete and wood canopy that opens to the private garden views to the south.
The man circulation turns the corner past a magnolia tree to connect to the amenities areas of the house in the main floor, giving this spaces the required sense of privacy and also providing direct connection to the eastern garden views.
Along this path, the main staircase reveals itself as a ¨vertical¨ library that wraps up the second-floor volume of the house. This living areas can function autonomously to the rest of the house by a security door that closes at night and allow the bedrooms to interact with the family living spaces and a mini kitchen in isolation from the rest of the house.
Morning sun and crossed ventilation allow the living areas to enjoy and control the local climate while enjoying the direct views of the Ilalo volcano.

Najas Arquitectos unfolds transparency and privacy dilemma for a concrete and wood residence in Quito

DESIGN: Esteban Najas
CONSTRUCTION: Najas Arquitectos
STRUCTURAL: Nicolás Morabowen y José Salvador
ELECTRIC: Rommel Antamba
LIGHTNING DESIGN: Andrés Córdova – Dyconel
AREA: 550m2
YEAR: 2019
MAIN MATERIALS: Concrete, Steel, Glass, Wood
LOCATION: Quito – Ecuador