Picadero

Picadero: A versatile space in the Ecuadorian Andes

Picadero is located in the Andes Mountains, in the province of Cotopaxi, Ecuador, in the Tanicuchí Parish. The neighborhood where it is located, called Lasso, is a rural area dedicated to agriculture and cattle raising. Due to its proximity to the Cotopaxi volcano and Los Ilinizas, it is characterized by a cold climate, sandy soil and Andean vegetation, where eucalyptus trees, which are not native to the area but have spread throughout the area, are also abundant.

The lot, of 5,000 m2, and rectangular in shape, is full of eucalyptus trees that, when their leaves fall, paint the ground in reddish, brown and mustard colors. The main house is located on the east side of the lot, while the stables are located on the west side.

The purpose of the commission was to develop an in-between space, considering the main house and the stables around. A space composed of a jumping arena for horses, a service area, and a versatile space designed to change over time (initially a play area dedicated to play and in the future four suites and a common area).

In order to respond to the client's needs and the context where the project is implemented, we started with a site analysis, where we studied some elements such as: orientation, views that considered the Cotopaxi volcano and Los Ilinizas, natural surroundings, access roads, existing constructions, topography, soil study, rainfall, and some other complementary studies.

The results of this analysis allowed us to make important decisions for the development of the project. This is how we implanted the jumping track in the place with less vegetation and gave it a north-south orientation, to make training efficient. We also decided to unite the services and the versatile space in a single body, and to implant it next to the riding arena, in order to take advantage of the view, and preserve as many trees as possible. The construction directs it’s longitudinal facades to the sunlight and separates the construction from the natural topography, to avoid the entry of water and humidity, due to heavy rains.

The construction of the project began in October 2022 and was completed one year later. Its main structure, made of steel and modulated, rests on reinforced concrete plinths. The floor slab, with a radiant heating system inside, allows the space to be heated and converted into a shelter. The eucalyptus wood ceiling facing the interior, installed over a steel substructure, is waterproof and uses clay tile as a covering towards the exterior. The facade on the east side, uses local brick surfaces and others in laminated glass, this areas relate to the jumping ring and face the Cotopaxi volcano, while the west facade, uses laminated glass and a wooden brise-soleil, both helping resources used to maintain the heat in the interior areas, this façade also allows for the afternoon sun to enter, and takes the Ilinizas Mountains as their main view.

Picadero becomes the place of connection between the house and the stables. It is through the circulation paths that this project achieves a relationship between the two existing constructions, and transforms an empty lot, into a meeting place.