GAIA: A Sculptural Marvel in Urban Architecture

Leppanen Anker Arquitectos Transforms Urban Fabric into a Mixed-Use Building

The GAIA building is strategically located near a proposed government building, a metro stop, a large shopping center, and the city's most important urban park. Its unique sculptural movement makes it a creative attractor for both office workers and residents, fostering a dynamic synergy between the city and the building. The varied programming of the building engages the local fabric throughout the day, positioning it as a future hotspot.

GAIA's structure combines concrete and steel, with Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) panels wrapping the entire facade. The design team leveraged both analog mold making and parametric digital modeling to achieve the facade's success. The facade incorporates a repeating patterning system for greater efficiency in fabrication costs and production times. The design of the panels even allows their use as balcony handrails, showcasing the team's attention to detail and functionality.

The building spans 31 m x 30 m x 59 m, with a total floor area of 15,000 m2 distributed over 14 stories. It houses 59 apartments ranging from 50 m2 to 150 m2 and 60 office spaces ranging from 44 m2 to 113 m2. The building also features a spa area, gym, and cinema, providing a variety of amenities for its inhabitants.

The design process for GAIA began in 2013, with construction starting in September 2014 and completing in September 2016. The project presented several challenges, including the introduction of GFRC panels to Ecuador for the first time. Overcoming these challenges, GAIA stands as a symbol of technological progress and new industry in the country.

GAIA's innovative design and architectural prowess have earned it the Golden A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2017. This prestigious award is granted to creations that reflect extraordinary excellence and significantly impact the world with their desirable characteristics. GAIA, with its unique blend of form and function, certainly fits this description.