MVRDV unveiled the design of its first project in South America. The Hills is a residential project located on the Guayas Riverfront in Guayaquil, Ecuador, consisting of six residential towers displayed on a mixed-use pedestal that creates the image of the valley. The height of the tower varies from 92 meters to 143 meters, and the farther away from the riverfront, the higher it is. The entire composition is inspired by a local landscape that blends nature and an urban environment.
MVRDV unveiled the design of its first project in South America. The Hills is a residential project located on the Guayas Riverfront in Guayaquil, Ecuador, consisting of six residential towers displayed on a mixed-use pedestal that creates the image of the valley. The height of the tower varies from 92 meters to 143 meters, and the farther away from the riverfront, the higher it is. The entire composition is inspired by a local landscape that blends nature and an urban environment.
The pedestal connecting the six towers forms a green valley that provides outdoor space to complement the indoor facilities organized on the ground floor, such as retail and community spaces. Natural vegetation surrounds swimming pools, sports fields and a large urban amphitheater facing the riverfront. Between the four towers closest to the river and the two towers facing the city, the valley became a deeper "canyon", extending the existing boulevards and allowing pedestrians to cross the grounds on the ground.
The design of the project uses two different visual languages. The façade faces the city and the riverfront, using orthogonal lines and light colors to blend in with the adjacent high-rise buildings. The inward, valley-facing sides are more organic in shape. Balconies create irregular setbacks and overhangs, using more color variations by applying darker earth tones on the lower floors and gradually becoming lighter towards the top floors.
Guayaquil's warm climate prompts architects to provide a sustainable response in their development designs. Wide balconies provide shade and protect the glass façade from overheating on each floor. The location of the tower facilitates the flow of air throughout the complex, thus creating a natural ventilation system that, in addition to the abundance of greenery, helps to create a pleasant environment for residents and visitors alike.
Most of the energy plans used in public areas and homes are provided by photovoltaic panels. In addition, the project will use the collected rainwater to irrigate the garden. LED lighting and heat pumps will also help reduce the overall energy consumption and carbon footprint of the development project.
Jacob van Rijs, founding partner of MVRDV, expressed the importance of opening up this development to cities, allowing citizens, not just residents, to access the amenities on offer and make new connections. Earlier this month, MVRDV partnered with Roof Days Rotterdam to open a 30-metre-high aerial bridge across the roofs of Rotterdam, once again highlighting the untapped potential to expand the public domain. The installation also hopes to raise visitors' awareness of the potential of rooftops, which could be a second tier to make the city more livable, sustainable and healthy.