A first place-winning competition entry by Studio Campo Baeza and MAODA for Quito’s National Museum of Ecuador has been rejected by the Ecuadorian government. Now, the competition finalists will re-present their proposals and a new selection process will take place.
Ecuador’s Infrastructure Minister Roberto Luque announced that the proposal had been cancelled on July 10, four days after the competition results were announced.
“We have listened to what the people are saying and we agree with you,” Luque said. “The proposed design for the museum is not what Ecuador needs.”
Members of the College of Architects, an Ecuadorian professional organization, and Culture Ministry officials who presided over the competition opposed the cancellation.
Deputy Culture Minister Romina Muñoz told local reporters, “We have spent months in this process, including the call for designs and careful consideration by internationally respected professionals in the architectural profession.”
“To throw out the work of a panel of world class experts considering specialized criteria, beyond aesthetic considerations, is an outrage,” Muñoz continued.
Public Opinion
The competition results were announced on July 6. The entry by Studio Campo Baeza and MAODA, a large concrete box rising up from La Carolina Park attached to a secondary volume that serves as an entry point, sparked widespread public criticism.
Studio Campo Baeza and MAODA were selected as competition winners from a pool of 148 initial applicants from over 20 countries. Of the 148 applicants, 20 advanced to the last phase, culminating in the final three.
MCM+A was the second place winner. SANAA, Caá Porá Arquitectura, Estudio A0, Jerome Haferd Studio, and Taller Capital Landscape came in third place.
In addition to the top three, designs by the 17 finalists are now up for re-consideration. The shortlisted design teams include:
- Rafael Moneo, Moneo Brock, Marvel
- tab>|, MEC ARQ, Martinez Arquitectura, Diez Muller
- NietoSobejano RFS, Intemperie Studio, EMPTY, ARUP
- B720 Architecture, LERA
- Najas Architects, Arata Isozaki
- Bermúdez, Endara Architects
- Associated Architects
- Mario Cucinella Architects SURL
- Undurraga Deves Architects
- Diego Patricio Oleas Serrano
- Brazil Architecture
- PRODUCTORA
- OMA, AFRA
- SOM
- Rafael Viñoly Architects
- BIG, EFE, DLPS
- Aires Mateus III, LDA
A timeline for the new selection process hasn’t been announced. AN emailed Ecuador’s Infrastructure Ministry for comment.