emilio lópez crowns 'casa alangasí' in ecuador with a folded tiled roof

‘Casa Alangasí’ by emilio lópez

‘Casa Alangasí’ takes shape as a brick-clad refuge nestled in the Ecuadorian countryside. Completed by architect Emilio López for a private client, the 110 sqm residence comprises load-bearing brick walls and a folded wooden roof structure crowned with tile cladding. These ‘breaks’ in linearity recall the ‘folds’ of the Andean geography ahead, a relatively young formation, still in gestation but full of life.

Meawhile, the choice of load-bearing brick walls responds to the client’s request for a certain level of security and protection provided by the architecture. ‘The house is implanted on top of a small hill so it is exposed to the view and the winds of the area. Thus, the wall mass with openings or bounded openings protects the interiors from the harsh climate and from prying eyes,’ notes the architect. 

all images © Andres.V.Fotografía

folded outlines and warm interiors 

The materiality of the brick walls extends to the interiors of ‘Casa Alangasí’. When reaching the roof, the ceilings slant and fold in response to the folding surfaces, minimizing the impact of the architecture on the geography. Emilio Lopez (see more here) complemented the living spaces with a small exterior pergola worked in wood and glass visually. The latter visually extends the folds of the roofs and invites outside rest; today, this outdoor area is enlivened by many plants, creating a small nursery and garden for personal use. 

front view of ‘Casa Alangasí’

While the overall architectural language exudes lively textures and unusual geometries, Lopez made sure to dress the interiors of ‘Casa Alangasí’ with simple finishes — namely a smooth cement floor, coupled with kitchen and bathroom furniture that take advantage of the remaining materiality of the roof structure to help to achieve warm and inviting spaces at an affordable budget.

a folded brick roof tops the dwelling

close up look of the load-bearing brick walls

the brick cladding extends to the interiors

project info:

name: Casa Alangasí

location: Quito, Alangasí, Ecuador

construction year: 2019 

built area: 110 sqm 

architecture & construction: Emilio López Herrera | @emilioflopez

structural design: Eng. Patrick Cevallos

photography: Andres.V.Fotografía