Las Pajareras Lodges: A Sustainable Retreat in Papallacta, Ecuador

Nestled in the lush cloud forests of Papallacta at 2,700 meters above sea level, Las Pajareras Lodges represents a harmonious blend of eco-friendly hospitality architecture and sensitive contextual design. Conceived by architects Ignacio Muñoz and Javier Mera Luna, the project expands the lodging capacity of a hostelry primarily dedicated to birdwatching, nature photography, and conservation tourism, while maintaining a strong connection to the surrounding environment.

Context and Site

The property, historically known as "El Guango," spans 300 hectares of pristine primary cloud forest, positioned between the Papallacta River and the Chalpi mountain range. This remarkable landscape, carefully preserved by the same family for over 50 years, inspired the lodge’s design. The site’s challenging topography includes narrow strips of buildable land along the river, constrained further by a centrally running oil pipeline requiring a 15-meter clearance. These natural and regulatory conditions shaped the lodge’s thoughtful placement, ensuring minimal environmental impact while maximizing river and forest views.

Design Concept

Las Pajareras Lodges consists of three modular units, each containing a flexible bedroom, private bathroom, and a porch overlooking the Papallacta River. A communal outdoor area features a small heated pool and a bathroom/changing room. The project responds to its context through a dialogue with the site’s historical architecture.

The lodge draws inspiration from pre-existing structures dating back to the 1960s, including a family prototype dwelling known as Casa Cáscara and a two-story house built in 1996. By reinterpreting these forms and construction techniques, the architects honor the heritage and legacy of the site, creating a contemporary version that respects memory and tradition.

Innovative Construction and Materials

The construction showcases a quadruple material system, combining structural solidity, aesthetic sensitivity, and environmental responsibility:

• Cyclopean concrete foundations support 60 cm thick load-bearing basilica stone walls, which double as furniture containers with integrated folding beds and closets.
• A U-shaped reinforced concrete chain/gutter allows rainwater to return naturally to the forest while facilitating easy maintenance.
• Prefabricated curved wooden modular trusses form the vaulted ceilings, composed of pine wood, plywood arches, and industrial waterproof layers finished with black galvanized metal.
• BIOM thermal-acoustic insulation, derived from agricultural waste, reduces carbon footprint and enhances sustainability.

Sustainability Strategies

Environmental responsibility is central to Las Pajareras Lodges. Key strategies include:

• Installation of a wastewater treatment plant certified to return treated water to natural sources.
• Use of spring water for all lodge needs.
• Materials and construction methods that minimize environmental disturbance while preserving the forest’s biodiversity.

A Dialogue with Nature

Las Pajareras is more than a lodge; it is an architectural dialogue between time, memory, and landscape. Its design respects the existing built environment, enhancing the visitor experience through intimate connections with the forest, river, and sky. The modular repetition, vaulted ceilings, and subtle gestures of displacement establish a rhythm that integrates architecture with nature, offering both privacy and panoramic immersion.

All photographs are works of JAG estudio