The Workshop / Daniel Moreno

© Daniel Moreno

Architect: Daniel Moreno
Location: La Gasca, Quito,
Project Team: Felipe Ordonez, Esteban Benavides and Daniel Corti
Contractor: Fabian Tenório
Owner: Artist Pilar Flores
Project Area: 78.5 sqm
Budget: US$ 7.000
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Daniel Moreno

Initially the space to take part was saturated and inaccessible in some corners. There was no connection between the garden of entrance and the workshop because in spite of having windows this relation was lost.

© Daniel Moreno / original access

The objective was to clean it visually, to clear walls, to create ample and practical spaces to store, to organize the materials and to hide the work objects.

© Daniel Moreno

The owner looked for the space to be white, empty, minimal and that took advantage of the day light. In this space the views are prioritized and the relation between the garden and the distant mountain is  emphasized.

The spaces where the owner felt comfortable and safe were very important.

Because of the low budget, most of what was removed from the original space had to be hiden or reused in the taken part space.  It is recycled almost in its totality. The used was taken of from a demolished house.

plan & axo

The construction was carried out in two and a half months behind a house of approximately 50 years.  The intervention is independent of the house and it is shown like a place to escape in which the owner gambles, meditates, listen to music, can be in contact with nature, but mainly it is a space to be creative and create.

© Daniel Moreno

All the space is minimal where the light is protagonist.  It is a scene that allows to manifold actions. A flexible space  with portable furniture: the tables and stools can be put and taken of. When the objects are hidden there is left an empty space where anything can happen. A big carpet can also be extended to work with groups in the ground.

© Daniel Moreno

Space volumes were created. It was wanted that with a single element the construction could be solved. The new volumes are massive. Repetition of the wood, a piece next to the other (floor, wall, ceiling), generating a nest (attic) and a balcony towards the outside. This box of the entrance recovers the view towards Pichincha hills, and connects the interior with the garden which generates an iconic presence.  The new elements intensifies, contrasting with the white walls.

© Daniel Moreno

The masive and slowness are expressed with rod as if it was a thread, with subtility and lightness. The rod becomes structural support, launching slips, banister rails and others. The new elements are light and defy to the gravity.

sections

The structure of the wood ceiling is simplified and transparented with an enormous glass that is added. Therefore, this interior has the appearance of an outside which let to be in contact with the changes of the light during the day.

New spaces through the fragmentation in levels were obtained to experience the place in their different heights and to live it like a whole.

Cite: "The Workshop / Daniel Moreno" 03 Feb 2010. ArchDaily. Accessed 22 May 2013. <http://www.archdaily.com/48413>

31 comments

  1. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    The wood detailing and rebar supports are quite compelling, especially in contrast to the white concrete surroundings. I am completely not convinced on those rebar stairs. I would not want to walk on those barefoot. Seems nice for a budget of 7,000.

    Reply
  8. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    so stunning! particularly the front area; the use of the wood
    elements against the white interior is beautiful
    i only wish that similar or better photos could have been taken,
    rather than obviously pieced-together views

    Reply
  20. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    very glad that south american architecture and latin architects are finally finding their own language. I am very impressed with few samples of ecuadorian architecture I have seen recently published by german magazines and depicted on other specialized articles.

    I like the roughness and the angriness and the sequence of the “choza” into a most urban setting. Hope you did a great job on sanding. I have seen extensive samples of heavy timber applications in the city. This is quite taking it a little bit further. The uniqueness is remarkable. Latin architects this a great inspiration to follow.

    Bravo and OLE!!!

    Reply
  25. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    amazing, i love this project. one of the more interesting postings on archdaily recently

    Reply
  29. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    Los felicito. Me parece que está más luminoso, ganaron espacio, parece tener mucho más funcionalidad. Me parece muy linda las vigas de madera rústica junto con las varillas de hierro.
    Las escalera hacia el altillo, genial diseño y exige que los que suban estén en buen estado físico para equilibrarse (está bien, restringe el acceso a personas que estén light).

    El acceso está muy bien también. Ya me daré un salto para conocer.

    Daniel, felicitaciones!! Pilar, bien por dejarlo hacer!!

    Abrazos,
    José Antonio

    Reply
  30. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    Hey, I enjoyed the articles and excellent design you have here! I have your blog bookmarked to check out fresh material you post. I would like to thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and time into the stuff you post!! 2 Thumbs up!

    Reply

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