MareNostrum: A Nautical-Inspired Architectural Marvel

Residential Building Design by Aaron Leppanen and Gabriela Anker

The MareNostrum project, named after a Latin term meaning "our sea," was conceptualized by designers Aaron Leppanen and Gabriela Anker. The design team drew inspiration from the site's historical connection to the sea, specifically the Mediterranean Sea, once baptized as Mare Nostrum by the ancient Romans. The building's façade reinterprets the movement of the Roman Empire's fleet oars, creating a sense of motion for both the residents and onlookers.

What sets MareNostrum apart from other residential buildings is its unique design properties. The movement of the façade generates large balconies, extending the interior space to the exterior. The building's form incorporates passive sustainability strategies, such as natural light and ventilation. The structure also offers a variety of living spaces, including suites, two-bedroom, three-bedroom apartments, and lofts. The building also features social spaces like a lounge and green areas on the terrace, maximizing the urban context.

The construction of MareNostrum was a blend of digital fabrication and artisan work. The façade and the lobby share a similar design language, but while the façade was constructed with conventional masonry blocks and mortar, the lobby was built with a CNC cut MDF structure and hand-cut Colorado wood panels. This combination of digital and artisan construction techniques was key to achieving the unconventional forms in Ecuador's setting.

Spanning eight stories and three underground levels on a 1250 square meter lot, MareNostrum is a marvel of modern architecture. The building, with a total construction area of 8,800 square meters, has a reinforced concrete structure with steel deck floor plates. The characteristic cutout corners, spanning over two levels, give the building a softer attitude while providing shade from the hot Andean sun. These cutout corners also create spaces for neighbors to interact, fostering a sense of community within the building.

The project, which started in 2016 and was completed in 2019, faced several challenges. The historical connection that the site had with the sea inspired the form, but local construction technology imposed limitations. However, through creative use of conventional masonry blocks and cement materials, the design team was able to sculpt the wave-inspired façade. The result is a constructible yet experimental design that has movement, emotion, repetition, and a physical presence in the community.

For its innovative design and architectural excellence, MareNostrum was awarded Silver in the A' Architecture, Building, and Structure Design Award in 2020. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation. MareNostrum, with its unique design and historical inspiration, truly embodies these qualities.