Nestled in the picturesque valley of Quito, Ecuador, this modern family residence embraces its natural surroundings, dissolving boundaries between indoors and out. Designed by Make Estudio Division, a design build division of PJCArchitecture, in collaboration with Juan Pablo Ribadeneira Mora, the 450-square-meter home comprises four bedrooms and four and half bathrooms for a young couple and their two daughters. Configured to maximize connectivity between interior and exterior entertaining spaces, the home is a celebration of time spent among family and friends.
The home’s structural design is informed first and foremost by its location. The home is oriented to the west, maximizing views to the stunning mountain vistas and harnessing the warmth of the afternoon sun. The home’s brick materiality absorbs heat and radiates it throughout the space during the evenings, while white stucco on the upper floor helps reflect and mediate the intense sunlight. Managing the harsh equatorial sunlight proved a challenge for the design team, who incorporated a tall vertical wooden screen on the exterior porch which serves a dual purpose—simultaneously shielding the interiors from excess sun while preserving natural light.
The home’s distinct composition comprises two towering volumes linked by a compact, open entrance section that serves as an axis delineating the public and private spheres of the interior. Upon entering, a breathtaking panorama of the rear garden and surrounding mountains comes into sight. Looking to the left, an expansive, double-height living and dining area comes into view, connecting via sliding glass doors to an elevated exterior porch with a custom fireplace and barbeque area. Designed for relaxation and entertaining, the outdoor living room then connects back to the kitchen through another set of glass doors.
To the right of the entrance, a cubic structure encases a portion of the kitchen, clad in warm wood paneling, as well as a pantry and discrete door leading to a full bedroom and bathroom. Further into the kitchen is a cozy banquette overlooking the back garden. Rounding out the first floor is a family room, powder room, and mudroom connecting to the front garage. A minimalist marble travertine staircase leads to the second floor, where a family TV room provides an alternate space for relaxation. Two bedrooms on the second floor include ensuite bathrooms and views to the north and south. The primary bedroom suite is distinguished by its double-height ceiling that opens views to the surrounding scenery. A walk-in closet connects to the primary bathroom featuring a floating tub, steam shower, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
In addition to space for relaxing, entertaining, and communing with nature, the family sought a secluded home office space that didn’t feel like a traditional office. Leveraging the natural slope of the site’s terrain, the team designed a brick staircase that gracefully leads to a subterranean home office. The space is a concealed gem that fosters a professional ambiance distinct from that of the home environment, without obstructing or disrupting the visual harmony of the house.
Skillfully executed alongside contractor CVD Arquitectura, Cumbaya House is a celebration of the family home and its place in nature. The strategic balance between public and private spaces and the seamless flow between indoors and out fosters a harmonious environment amidst the region’s majestic mountain vistas.
