Ecological Resort
Sector
Public
Location
Puerto Ayora, Ecuador
Year
2025
Design Team
Thiago Constantino Costa
Project Type
Architecture Competition
A. Located in Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galápagos Islands, this project proposes an eco-hotel that shows how tourism can exist alongside a fragile ecosystem. The idea is to reuse unfinished buildings and turn them into sustainable and comfortable spaces that bring people closer to nature. The design responds to the pressure of urban growth and the need for development that protects biodiversity. Every choice was guided by the goal of balancing conservation, innovation and community.
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B. The project is organized into lightweight and modular volumes that adjust to the slope of the site. Circulation moves around open courtyards, gardens and shaded paths, creating a calm and immersive experience for visitors. Each unit uses natural ventilation, solar shading and views toward the landscape to stay comfortable without relying on mechanical systems. Local materials such as volcanic rock and bamboo add warmth and identity to the building, and reusing existing structures helps reduce waste and construction impact.
C. The design also includes solar energy, rainwater collection and greywater recycling to make the hotel more self-sufficient within the island’s limited resources. Public spaces support local engagement through markets, workshops and community gardens that connect visitors and residents. With all these strategies, Galápagos Retreat becomes more than an eco-hotel. It becomes an example of responsible architecture in sensitive environments, where nature, culture and design work together instead of competing.
