Napo Artisan Centre

The Napo Artisan and Education Centre is located in central Ecuador close to the town of Tena. Void Studios have been appointed to produce a concept design for a production hub for local crafts which can serve as a teaching space and to provide accommodation for visitors to the centre.

The centre will be used to produce clothes, pottery and beading. Alongside the businesses operating out of the building, visitors will be able to stay at the centre and undertake courses in these crafts.

The building is located adjacent to a large river that is known to flood during the year. The new structure is therefore built on stilts to prevent damage during high rain and flooding.

The plan is organised within an elliptical layout, representative of the vernacular architecture, with the separate studios arranged around a central lobby area which also serves as a gallery for local artist to showcase their work.

At one end of the central lobby is a stair, incorporating amphitheatre style seating, taking visitors to accommodation level consisting of two wings of dormitories and a family suite. The gallery extends to this level and animates the route towards viewing decks that overlook the river.

The building is covered by a large oversailing roof which bows upwards to reveal stunning river views.

Materials have been selected to be sustainable and biodegradable wherever possible, incorporating local motifs and colours into the façade.