SANAA-led team wins Ecuador National Museum competition after public participation
Ecuador's new national museum takes shape with design selected through civic engagement.
1Competition background
The international competition for Ecuador's National Museum initially crowned a different winner. However, criticism from the public and architectural circles led to a reevaluation of the process. This sparked debates about decision-making mechanisms for significant cultural projects, highlighting tensions between expert judgment and public opinion.
2Winning design: Estratos Vivos
The SANAA-led team conceptualizes the museum as an extension of the natural landscape. Circular volumes with planted terraces and open courtyards create a sequence of public spaces for gradual exploration. The design moves away from traditional monumental museum imagery, offering an organic approach that blurs boundaries between architecture and environment.
3Spatial experience
The project organizes exhibition galleries around sunlit circular patios. Ramps and outdoor areas provide fluid circulation with views of Quito and Pichincha volcano. This interweaving of enclosed galleries with gardens establishes a continuous dialogue between art and the urban context, creating layered visitor experiences.
4Cultural diversity emphasis
Inspired by Ecuador's mountains, forests and archaeological heritage, the museum embodies a 'living strata' concept. Developed with Indigenous, Afro-Ecuadorian and mestizo advisors, the design accommodates parallel histories rather than a single narrative. This approach challenges conventional museum typologies by celebrating cultural plurality.
5Evolving selection process
Controversy over the initially selected proposal led to process restructuring. Three finalists were put to public vote, with Estratos Vivos emerging as the combined winner of jury scores and citizen participation. This unprecedented approach redefined how cultural institutions might engage communities in architectural decision-making.
6The museum's future vision
Housing over 1.2 million cultural objects, the museum will become Ecuador's primary repository of historical and artistic heritage. The project sets a precedent for democratic participation in architectural competitions, demonstrating how public engagement can reshape traditional selection paradigms for national cultural landmarks.