The architectural world has witnessed a dramatic turn of events in the selection process for Ecuador’s new National Museum of Ecuador (MuNA). A team led by the prestigious Japanese firm SANAA in collaboration with Estudio A0Caá Porá Arquitectura and Jerome Haferd Studio has emerged victorious in a revised competition that captivated both the architectural community and the public.
The winning proposal, Estratos Vivos envisions the museum as an organic extension of the surrounding landscape. The design features a series of softly stacked circular volumes that rise from the site, with planted terraces and open courtyards creating a building that seems to grow outward and upward. This innovative approach replaces the traditional image of a monumental civic institution with a sequence of public spaces that visitors can explore gradually.
The Evolution of the Competition
The competition’s journey was anything but straightforward. Initially, an international jury unanimously selected a proposal by Alberto Campo Baeza and MAODA as the winner. However, this decision was met with widespread criticism from architects, academics, and the public, who questioned whether the project truly reflected Ecuador’s cultural identity. An online petition calling for the result to be reconsidered garnered thousands of signatures, prompting Ecuador’s Ministry of Education to suspend the original decision.
In response to the public outcry, a newly appointed jury shortlisted three proposals, which were then put to a nationwide public vote. The final result combined jury scores and citizen voting, with the Sanaa-led team’s Estratos Vivos receiving the highest combined score. This unusual process highlighted the growing role of public opinion in shaping national cultural institutions.
A Design Rooted in Ecuador’s Cultural Diversity
The winning proposal is a testament to the rich cultural diversity of Ecuador. The architects drew inspiration from the country’s layered geography and cultural heritage, describing the museum as a collection of ‘living strata.’ The design incorporates elements from Ecuador’s mountains, forests, coastline, and archaeological landscapes, creating a series of interconnected environments.
Developed with the participation of Indigenous, Afro-Ecuadorian, and mestizo advisors, Estratos Vivos presents the museum as a place where multiple histories and perspectives can coexist. The design features circular terraces that organize exhibition galleries around circular patios, introducing daylight and allowing visual connections between levels. Ramps, terraces, and open-air spaces create fluid routes through the museum, framing views toward Quito and the slopes of the Pichincha volcano.
The Significance of the Revised Selection Process
The revised selection process for the MuNA competition has sparked a broader discussion about the role of citizens in shaping national cultural institutions. While architecture competitions are typically decided solely by expert juries, the MuNA competition evolved into a public dialogue about the importance of reflecting cultural identity in architectural design.
With the selection now finalized, the Sanaa-led team will move forward with the design of a museum intended to house more than 1.2 million cultural objects. The new building will span 36,000 square meters and is expected to require an investment of around $100 million. The MuNA will become Ecuador’s principal repository of its historical and artistic heritage, addressing the institution’s long-standing space constraints.
The controversy surrounding the competition also led to the resignation of two cultural officials and prompted several architecture firms to withdraw from the new design competition. Despite the challenges, the final outcome represents a significant step forward in the realization of Ecuador’s cultural vision.
