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SANAA Selected to Design National Museum of Ecuador After Controversial Competition

architecture-design · 2026-07-21

SANAA has been officially chosen to design the National Museum of Ecuador, following a controversial selection process. Their winning proposal, titled "Living Strata," features a terra-cotta facade inspired by Pichincha Volcano. The initial winner, Studio Campo Baeza, along with MAODA, was dismissed due to public backlash and resignations. In a revised voting procedure, over 50,600 Ecuadorians participated, with a new technical jury weighing 85% of the decision. SANAA secured victory with a score of 81.7 points, narrowly surpassing Mario Cucinella Architects. Construction is anticipated to commence in 2027, housing around 1.2 million cultural artifacts.

Key facts

  • SANAA, Caá Porá Arquitectura, Estudio A0, Jerome Haferd Studio, and Taller Capital Landscape selected to design National Museum of Ecuador.
  • Winning design 'Living Strata' features terra-cotta facade mimicking Pichincha Volcano.
  • Initial winner Studio Campo Baeza and MAODA rejected after public criticism and official resignations.
  • Over 50,600 Ecuadorians participated in the new voting process.
  • New technical jury counted for 85% of the vote; public consultation for 15%.
  • SANAA won with 81.7 points, one-tenth of a point ahead of Mario Cucinella Architects.
  • Museum houses approximately 1.2 million cultural artifacts.
  • Construction expected to begin in 2027.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • SANAA
  • Caá Porá Arquitectura
  • Estudio A0
  • Jerome Haferd Studio
  • Taller Capital Landscape
  • National Museum of Ecuador
  • Studio Campo Baeza
  • MAODA
  • PRODUCTORA
  • Mario Cucinella Architects
  • B720 Arquitectura & LERA
  • Arup
  • DVDL
  • Monica Vorbeck
  • Nobis real estate group
  • Arquine
  • MAIO Architects
  • B720 Arquitectura + LERA
  • Ministry of Education of Ecuador
  • designboom
  • Museo Nacional del Ecuador (MuNa)
  • Gobierno de Ecuador
  • Ministerio de Transporte y Obras Públicas
  • Campo Baeza
  • B720 Arquitectura
  • LERA
  • A0-CPA-JHS
  • Taller Capital
  • Oficina de Diseño Colaborativo

Locations

  • Quito
  • Ecuador
  • Pichincha Volcano
  • La Carolina Park
  • Pichincha volcano
  • Parque La Carolina

Sources