{"id":6937,"date":"2026-04-14T16:00:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T16:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.angesfinanciers.org\/?p=6937"},"modified":"2026-04-17T15:20:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T15:20:30","slug":"kengo-kuma-bases-quito-skyscraper-design-on-ancient-ceramics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.angesfinanciers.org\/index.php\/2026\/04\/14\/kengo-kuma-bases-quito-skyscraper-design-on-ancient-ceramics\/","title":{"rendered":"Kengo Kuma bases Quito skyscraper design on “ancient ceramics”"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Kengo<\/div>\n

Japanese architecture studio Kengo Kuma and Associates<\/a> has released designs for a residential skyscraper in Quito, Ecuador<\/a>, the studio’s first in the city. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Qapital tower is set to be 32 storeys at 420 feet tall (128.5 metres), and joins a growing number of projects in Quito by international architecture studios developed by local office Uribe Schwarzkopf<\/a>, including recently completed projects by BIG<\/a> and Safdie Architects<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Kengo
Kengo Kuma and Associates has released designs for its first project in Quito<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Like these two other towers, Qapital will border La Carolina Park in Quito’s central business district.<\/p>\n

It will contain 509 “micro” studio apartments ranging from 226 square feet (21 square metres) to 389 square feet (36.15 square metres), as well as three commercial floors on its lower levels and amenities spaces such as a rooftop pool, a pet spa and a spa.<\/p>\n

\"Kengo
The Qapital skyscraper will contain micro residential units<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Renders depict a facade with large openings cut away from the building. It will be made of striated stacks of stone, and plants are shown pouring off balconies.<\/p>\n

According to architect Kengo Kuma<\/a>, its textured facade was informed by his personal interest in ceramics.<\/p>\n

\"Kengo
The carved facade was informed by the Andes and local and Japanese ceramics<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“I have long been interested in the similarities between ancient ceramics in Japan and Ecuador \u2013 their shared sensitivities to form and the valorization of natural material,” said Kuma.<\/p>\n

“With Qapital, that focus on nature and texture became the starting point for the design, visible through the building’s carved facade and the weaving of nature into the heart of the city.”<\/p>\n

\"Kengo
Interior renders picture compact units<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to the team, the design was also informed by the “rugged beauty” of the Andes mountain range, which runs down the western coast of South America and cradles Quito.<\/p>\n

The tower’s balconies take cues from the porous surface of Andean rocks, for instance, which provide “ample space for plants to grow within their crevices”.<\/p>\n

\"Kengo
Cavernous amenity spaces include pools and a spa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Interior renderings show a compact model bedroom lined with a light wood. Ammenity spaces are pictured as sprawling, organically shaped, and cavernous.<\/p>\n

“The building combines functional design with compact living space, offering a flexible and dynamic opportunity for both living and investment,” said the team.<\/p>\n