The imposing volcanoes that guard the Machachi Valley in Ecuador are far more than simple geological formations: they are living entities that love, suffer, and keep profound secrets.
One of the most captivating local legends tells of an ancient love drama among these peaks: it is said that Cotopaxi Volcano interfered in the marriage of the Ilinizas. When Rumiñahui Volcano discovered the affair, the news broke the heart of Corazón Mountain, the son of the Ilinizas, who cried so much over his parents’ separation that his tears formed lagoons throughout the region. Since then, Cotopaxi has often hidden behind a thick blanket of clouds, ashamed of having shattered the harmony of this mountain family.
It is precisely this landscape, steeped in mythology and breathtaking beauty, that serves as the backdrop for La Miradora, a recent residential project designed by the architecture studio Taller General to admire these stone giants.
JAG Studio
A legendary setting
Located in the central highlands of Ecuador, at an altitude of 3,400 metres, this 300-square-metre (m²) house lives up to its name. Positioned at the highest point of the site, its design seeks to establish a visual dialogue with the surrounding environment.
"La Miradora is a house that emerges among volcanoes. We wanted to observe the surrounding landscape, including ravines, meadows, and volcanoes, from every room," explains the studio.
JAG Studio
To achieve this complete immersion in the landscape, the architecture relies on an ingenious volumetric design. The rectangular structure combines a traditional pitched roof with an A-frame system, where the longitudinal glass walls open out like a fan.
This framework is supported by ten large solid timber beams arranged in 2.5-metre modules, creating long galleries beneath the projecting eaves. The elements of these galleries converge towards the top, providing greater weather protection to the upper floor.
JAG Studio
A responsible design adapted to the terrain
The design adapts organically to the site's topography. On the northern side, the structure rests on a brick base, creating a semi-buried level that houses the garage, bathrooms, and two bedrooms that can be prepared to accommodate guests, all facing a large west-facing glazed wall.
On the southern side, the beams become metal elements anchored into the ground, set back from the exterior façade to make way for a ramp. This covered passage creates a seamless transition between indoors and outdoors, inviting residents to stroll through the space and enjoy the views.
JAG Studio
The main living areas of the house are located on the upper floor, conceived as an open-plan space integrating the kitchen, living room, and dining room, as well as a suite enclosed by a solid brick wall.
Breaking the horizontality of the pitched roof is a vertical tower, accessed via a black metal spiral staircase. This loft-style space functions as a privileged lookout point, directing views towards the north and opening up to an even broader panorama.
The house respects its natural surroundings. The colour palette complements the exposed timber, metal, ceramics, and brick masonry, all raw materials selected for their excellent performance in the local climate. The studio emphasises that they were applied with great care to avoid additional finishes and reduce construction waste.
JAG Studio
The integration of solar panels and a water purification system further reinforces this vision:
"The proposal reflects what, in our opinion, responsible architecture should be," concludes the studio.
Source: House in Ecuador Located at 3,000 Metres Above Sea Level with Views of a Volcano — idealista/news