MAD architects lands in south america with its warping, mixed-use ‘qondesa’ complex

set in quito, ecuador, the nature-infused building façade emulates the twisting of vines.

lea zeitoun May 2, 2023 3 min

‘qondesa’ by mad rises like twisted vines in ecuador’s quito city

Quito, a city of coexisting contrasts influenced by its diverse ecosystems, ethnicities, and traditions, is the capital of Ecuador and a UNESCO world heritage site featuring the best-preserved and least-altered historical center in South America. MAD Architects, led by Ma Yansong, has revealed its first mix-use project, ‘Qondesa’, in Quito. Soon to be the tallest building there, the proposal celebrates the integration of nature into high-density living — offering a unique vision of an ecological future.

Connecting to its natural backdrop, ‘Qondesa’ by MAD takes shape as a warping body growing from the earth and reaching for the sky. The exterior façade emulates twisting vines weaving around the building to taper at its top and sprout greenery in the form of planters throughout the balconies.

MAD architects lands in south america with its warping, mixed-use 'qondesa' complex - 1 — all renderings © Mir

promoting a new green possibility for a vertical community

Beyond echoing its surroundings, the architectural shape is also designed to absorb ample daylight and keep the views open for surrounding buildings. Even more, the stone-colored shell of ‘Qondesa’ recalls the facades adorning Quito’s Old Town, where historic buildings were clad in volcanic stone from the Andes mountains. ‘The playful organic lines of the façade are paired with the protruding, native vegetation to create an elegant aesthetic that will become a landmark to the city’s skyline,’ writes the MAD Architects team.

‘Qondesa’ features intimately scaled urban apartments and conveniently connects to Quito’s main destinations via the neighboring Iñaquito Metro station and sits across from La Carolina Park, a 67-hectare active green space in the heart of the city — linking living, business, and leisure together. ‘With multiple amenities and communal areas, Qondesa promotes a new possibility for a vertical community where residents play a fundamental role in animating the building,‘ continue the architects.

As part of new urban planning for Quito, the project’s scale, design, and functionality is complemented by eco-efficient engineering, which incorporates sustainability parameters through responsible consumption of resources and energy, as well as comprehensive waste management beginning in its construction stage.