Second-Place Team Condemns Flawed Competition for Ecuador's National Museum
Mendoza Partida + MCM+A taller de arquitectura + Estudio América, the second-place finisher in the competition for the Museo Nacional de Ecuador in Quito, has published a scathing critique of the process. The team, one of 17 finalists, alleges that the original competition rules were abandoned after the winner faced public backlash on social media, leading to an opaque "third phase" with no clear terms. They note that only 50,681 votes were cast out of Ecuador's 18.8 million population (0.27%), questioning the legitimacy of the public participation. The team also points out that the competition bases stipulated that if the winner failed to fulfill obligations, the second-place team would be awarded the project, yet they were never contacted. They call for architectural solidarity to prevent such abuses in the future.
Key facts
- Mendoza Partida + MCM+A taller de arquitectura + Estudio América placed second in the competition for the Museo Nacional de Ecuador.
- The competition was organized by the Colegio de Arquitectos del Ecuador – Pichincha CAE-P and the Government of Ecuador.
- The winning proposal faced public criticism on social media, leading to a controversial 'third phase' without clear rules.
- Only 50,681 votes were cast, representing 0.27% of Ecuador's 18.8 million population.
- The original competition bases stated that if the winner failed, the second-place team would assume the project.
- The second-place team was never contacted to take over the project.
- The team criticizes the lack of transparency and solidarity within the architectural profession.
- The article is a follow-up to a previous text by Wonne Ickx on the same competition.
Entities
Artists
- Wonne Ickx
- Mendoza Partida
- MCM+A taller de arquitectura
- Estudio América
Institutions
- Colegio de Arquitectos del Ecuador – Pichincha CAE-P
- Government of Ecuador
- Arquine
- INEC
Locations
- Quito
- Ecuador
- Brazil
Sources
- Arquine —