black metal sheets run along elongated volume of community dining space in ecuador

Side FX Arquitectura Designs a Community Dining Room in Macas

Side FX Arquitectura takes over the design of the Temporary Shelter and Community Dining Room in Macas, Ecuador, a project that addresses the basic needs of the homeless community influenced by energy-generating plants. The collaborative effort between the public and private sectors, initiated through the Territorial Development Projects Program of the Ecuadorian Government, aims to reduce poverty through social investment.

elongated design prioritizes simplicity and modularity

Situated in Macas, the cantonal capital of Morona Santiago, the project responds to the local climate and altitude, fostering a sense of community while meeting housing and food needs. The design prioritizes simplicity and modularity to accommodate a complex program. The building, structured longitudinally, features a central entrance, an articulating hall, and wings for the segregation of services, ensuring user control and avoiding the crossing of uses.

The private wing encompasses bedrooms, meeting and rest areas, while the public wing hosts medical services, a multipurpose room, an administrative area, a kitchen, and a dining room. Outdoor spaces, including green areas and a multipurpose court, encourage social interaction. The design team at Side FX Arquitectura attends to accessibility as a key consideration, with the project designed on a single level for universal use.

Controlled openings and Skylights ensure natural lighting

Strategically located at the highest land elevation with the least slope, the building offers a raised dining room with panoramic views. Controlled openings in the articulating hall face west, while east-facing openings in all rooms enhance connectivity with the environment. Skylights on the roof ensure natural lighting and effective cross ventilation. The design relies on simplicity, utilizing the typical typology of a house as a module, extruded to form the primary building volume. Black metal sheets create a contrasting facade against the adjacent rectangular volume.

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project info:

name: Temporary Shelter and Community Dining Room

architect: Side FX Arquitectura | @side_fx_arq

design team: Arch. Sebastián Benítez – Arch José Pedro Vásconez
location: Macas, Ecuador

photography: Nicolás Provoste | @nicolas_provoste

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