Metriq Estudio's House for María: Empathy-Driven Architecture in Quito

In 2021, Metriq Estudio finalized the House for María in La Gatazo, a working-class area in southern Quito, Ecuador. This 37 m² home was developed without a budget in response to the pandemic, addressing the dire situation of an elderly woman whose dwelling was nearly collapsing. The initiative, overseen by Valentina Díaz, involved principal architects Francisco Díaz, Alejandro Campos, and Richard Andrade, along with design team members Kevin Sebastian Soliz, Daniela Fonseca, and Micaela Balseca. Edimca contributed as manufacturers, while Novotex provided engineering consulting. The architects view the project as a demonstration of empathy, prioritizing action, social commitment, and self-management over traditional design approaches.