Urlo Studio embeds bike shelter into Ecuadorian hillside
Local architecture practice Urlo Studio has based the design of a concrete-and-wood pavilion for cyclists on ancient Andean lookouts, embedding it in a sloped site outside of Quito, Ecuador.
Known as Pamba Bike Refuge, the 900-square-metre (9,675-square-foot) open-air structure serves as a shelter from the harsh Andean climate for people using the bike park that runs down Pambamarca Hill in Ascázubi, Ecuador.
The refuge is placed so that park users will naturally wander into it.
Urlo Studio, which has offices in Quito, Ecuador and Valencia, Spain, placed the pavilion between the earth and the forest, using tinted concrete and a permeable wooden structure to mimic its surroundings, integrating into and engaging with the landscape rather than imposing itself on it.
The monumental concrete forms were informed by the ancient architecture of the mountainous region.
"The solid volumes on each side are reminiscent of ancient pucarás – Andean stone structures that served as housing or lookout points," the studio told Dezeen, noting that the dogtrot-like form allows for views of the mountain behind the structure and the bike tracks in front of it.
The concrete volumes on either end – one holding a reception area and bike shop, and the other a small restaurant cafe – bookend the resting area in the centre with picnic tables, planters and sunken seating areas.
The earth-toned pigment of the concrete reinforces the idea that the refuge belongs to the land, while the metal-framed openings bring natural light into the sober interior spaces.
"The openness of the structure invites riders to use a dynamic space where they can wander seamlessly between inside and outside without barriers, making it easier to move around with their bikes."
Mass-timber wooden elements form the canopy structure suspended between the concrete elements, with several paved paths leading into the rest area, which is enclosed only by a waist-high glass partition wall.
Beyond support, the wooden beams form porticos, giving the structure a rhythm.
"The laminated-wood roof is conceived as a light and rhythmic element, composed of six robust porticos that support both front and rear overhangs, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior," the studio said, noting that nearly-invisible tempered glass cascades down the front facade, protecting occupants from weather without breaking the visual connection to the landscape.
The resilient materials will stand up against the harsh equatorial sun, rain and strong winds over time.
The colourful interior vegetation – including ferns, philodendrons and yellow lilies – and warm wooden structure provide a contrast to the hard concrete. Outside, native species such as myrtle, white straw and cat's tail trees surround the refuge.
Building on an off-grid site required the team to consider the logistics of material, personnel, water and electricity during construction – a particularly meticulous task given the project's "tight budget".
"Throughout the design process, we learned how to make design choices that aligned with the client's budget without harming the overall concept," the studio said. "Working within a tight budget encouraged us to find more creative solutions, ultimately resulting in a space where riders can rest comfortably while still moving freely during their stay."
Urlo Studio was founded in 2017 by Natalia Hidalgo, Francisco Moratal and Diego Puente to blur the lines between architecture, planning, building and social impact.
Previously, the studio created a red-pigmented housing complex on a triangular site in Quito and a glass and aluminium sports club on Mocolí Island in Samborondón, Ecuador.
The photography is by JAG Studio.
Project credits:
Architect: Urlo Studio
Contractor: HeH Constructores
Structural engineering: AP Ingeniería Civil
Electrical engineering: Microcircuits
Sanitary engineering: RA – Respuesta Ambiental
Timber structure: Sebastián Ponce
Suppliers: Diacomet, ER Servicios, Maderoble, FV, Hormipisos, Hormisuelos Cía. Ltda.
The post Urlo Studio embeds bike shelter into Ecuadorian hillside appeared first on Dezeen.
