Casa Breve

Project idea

Casa Breve is a sustainable eco-hotel project envisioned in deep harmony with the delicate ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands. Rooted in adaptive reuse of an existing building, the design grows through modular, flexible additions to accommodate emerging needs. Without excavation, a lightweight bamboo structure lifts the architecture gently off the ground, creating a floating presence that minimizes ecological disturbance. Local materials—bamboo and volcanic stone—are paired with passive strategies such as natural ventilation, solar shading, and rainwater harvesting, enhancing both environmental and functional performance. The hotel integrates micro-habitats for endemic species, allowing guests to encounter wildlife closely while fostering ecological awareness. The public level emphasizes social connection, enabling meaningful interactions between locals and visitors. Through diversified spatial units, the project balances collective togetherness with private retreat, offering an inclusive and immersive living experience.
Goals and Objectives:
- Minimize environmental impact by reusing existing structures.
- Design a sustainable tourism facility capable of responding to evolving needs through a modular and flexible system.
- Create an architectural identity that honors local materials and craftsmanship.
- Strengthen the bond between nature, people, and local communities through ecological and social sustainability.
- Support biodiversity by incorporating micro-habitats for endemic species into the built environment.

Project description

Casa Breve is an eco-hotel designed through adaptive reuse, repurposing an unfinished building within the Galápagos Islands to create a sustainable and experience-driven accommodation. Instead of introducing new construction that could disrupt the delicate local ecosystem, the project builds upon the existing structure, expanding through modular and flexible interventions that enhance functionality while respecting the natural surroundings.
The ground floor serves as the operational and communal heart of the hotel, housing key service functions such as reception, lobby, a shared kitchen, local artisan shop, massage area, and shared bathrooms. This foundational layer supports both guests and local communities, fostering interaction and convenience.
Above, the first floor hosts a public terrace, an open social platform that connects visitors with one another and with local residents. Designed to encourage engagement and cultural exchange, this level serves as a communal gathering space within the architectural framework.
The upper floors accommodate guests, offering three distinct typologies of living spaces that provide a range of experiences:
- Loft Rooms: Double-height units that create a sense of openness, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the surrounding natural environment.
- Double Rooms: Comfortable, efficient spaces designed for shared occupancy.
- Single Rooms: Private, minimal units catering to individual travelers seeking solitude and tranquility.
At the core of the project stands a vertical service spine, an integral infrastructure element that supports circulation while functioning as a rainwater harvesting system. This central feature embodies the project's commitment to sustainability, collecting and redistributing rainwater to support ecological and operational needs.
Through this adaptive reuse approach, Casa Breve transforms an overlooked, unfinished structure into a responsive architectural solution that balances environmental sensitivity, community integration, and spatial flexibility—allowing the project to evolve organically with the island’s rhythms.
At the heart of Casa Breve lies a vertical core that serves as both a structural and ecological anchor. Functionally, it hosts the main circulation route—staircases and vertical connections—ensuring seamless access between the ground-level services, the communal terrace, and the upper-level accommodation units. Beyond movement, the core operates as a service spine, consolidating utilities and simplifying the modular expansion strategy. Critically, it also doubles as a rainwater harvesting shaft: roof runoff is channeled through this central system, stored, and redistributed for ecological and sanitary uses. The core becomes not only the building’s backbone, but its climatic conscience—bridging infrastructure and environment in a singular, sculptural gesture.

Technical information

Casa Breve is constructed with technical strategies that aim to achieve maximum spatial quality with minimal environmental impact. The main technical features include:
- Structural System: Elevated bamboo framework crafted with traditional joinery techniques—built atop an existing structure without steel or excavation.
- Envelope and Materials: Locally sourced bamboo, clay, and volcanic stone form the façade. The system is crowned with a lightweight metal roof and shaded with bamboo overhangs.
- Energy Efficiency: Solar panels placed on the roof provide clean energy, drastically reducing operational consumption.
- Water Management: Rainwater is guided from the roof into the central core, collected, and filtered for gray water reuse.
- Ventilation and Shading: The spatial organization aligns with prevailing southern winds to enhance natural ventilation. Overhangs and bamboo screens deliver solar control.
- Modular Construction Logic: All units are prefabricated as modular components that allow future expansion or removal with ease.
- Fire Safety: Fire-resistant insulation and compartmentalized design enhance building resilience.
- Ground Preservation: The structure is raised above ground, allowing natural flora and animal pathways to remain uninterrupted.

Documentation

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