QORNER by Safdie Architects QORNER (Courtesy of Uribe Schwarzkopf) Designed by Safdie Architects, QORNER stands at 24 storeys overlooking La Carolina Park, adding a dynamic vision to Qutio’s skyline. Featuring over 16,250 square meters of space spanning 92 stunning new residences, and two retail spaces and restaurants.
Project Name: Qorner
Studio Name: Uribe Schwarzkopf
The building features a series of vertically stacked homes in a unique, staggered configuration, creating a rich variety of double height corner terraces. The landscaped terraces on each level present the image of a green ‘hill side’ for the building, providing outside space with natural shading from the sun and views in multiple directions. QORNER offers a living experience where indoor and outdoor spaces unite enabling residents to take full advantage of Quito’s year-round temperate weather.
Planted balconies along the height of the building create a lush green living wall creating a natural synergy with the park and the surrounding mountains. “Being able to collaborate on a project in a year-round comfortable climate with both an ambitious client and a creative structural engineer, presented a unique opportunity to advance our experimental thinking on housing typology,” said Sean Scensor, Partner, Safdie Architects. “The result is QORNER’s unique design, which combines a fractalized structure, hanging gardens, and generous indoor/outdoor living.” In response to the seismic conditions of Quito, the project’s structure is designed around a perimeter concrete frame stabilized by a robust shear-wall concrete core.
As such, there are no internal columns in the apartments, which allows for greater interior planning flexibility and units that can be easily combined. In addition, walls are punctuated by large square windows with sliding glass doors and “Juliet” railings, providing natural cross-ventilation in all units. Amenities for residents include a rooftop infinity pool and terrace; landscaped roof garden featuring native flora; business center with meeting rooms and lounges; kids play area and games room; fully-equipped gym with spa, steam room and jacuzzi; cinema room and vegetable garden. A series of studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as penthouses are now available with prices starting at $87,000 USD.
Both projects are situated within the district of La Carolina, which takes its name from the leafy park it frames, with views over the city and the surrounding mountains. It is the dynamic heart of Quito with a mix of residential, business and leisure spaces where residents and visitors live, work and play. A family business, with a strong commitment to high-quality design and architecture, Uribe Schwarzkopf was founded by architect Tommy Schwarzkopf in 1973 and to date has completed over 120 projects in Quito.
ABOUT URIBE SCHWARZKOPF
Uribe Schwarzkopf is the leading architectural planning, design, and construction company in Quito, committed to quality and innovation, building exceptional living spaces, creating community, and responsibly planning for the future of the rapidly growing city. For over 48 years, they have developed and innovated in the Ecuadorian real estate sector, designing, planning, and promoting large projects located within the city of Quito, as well as its surrounding valleys, including Cumbayá and Tumbaco. Since 1973, Uribe Schwarzkopf has built over 120 projects. Their portfolio includes condominiums, office buildings, shopping malls, and even hotels and hospitals. Each Uribe Schwarzkopf building is marked by innovation and creativity as they constantly seek to break free of established paradigms. The company offers communal environments that improve quality of life, venturing to take Quito to the forefront of world cities by creating alliances with renowned international architecture and design companies including Arquitectónica – Bernardo Fort-Brescia (Peru-Miami), YOO Inspired by Starck (London), Wanders & YOO (Amsterdam), Carlos Zapata (Venezuela-Miami), Jean Nouvel (France), Moshe Safdie (Canada-Israel), Bjarke Ingels, BIG (Denmark), and Tatiana Bilbao (Mexico).
ABOUT BIG-BJARKE INGELS GROUP
BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group is a Copenhagen, New York, London, Shenzhen, and Barcelona based group of architects, designers, urbanists, landscape professionals, interior and product designers, researchers and inventors. The office is currently involved in projects throughout Europe, America, Asia and the Middle East. BIG’s architecture emerges out of a careful analysis of how contemporary life constantly evolves and changes. By hitting the fertile overlap between pragmatic and utopia, we architects once again find the freedom to change the surface of our planet, to better fit contemporary life forms. www.big.dk
ABOUT SAFDIE ARCHITECTS
Safdie Architects is a design studio driven by a spirit of innovation, guided by the belief that architecture should be inherently timeless, connected to nature, and humane. Founded by pioneering architect Moshe Safdie, the firm operates in the model of a design studio, with a forward-thinking, research oriented practice. Based in Boston, with project offices in Jerusalem, Singapore and Shanghai, Safdie Architects draws upon a depth of experience to deliver some of the world’s largest and most complex commissions in imaginative and unexpected ways. www.safdiearchitects.com