designboom_situated in the city of quevedo in ecuador lies ‘the house of silence’, designed by natura futura arquitectura. the concept behind the project focuses on creating a quiet place for family life. combining a rich material palette with spaces that blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors, the resulting house provides the perfect place for relaxation and meditation.

the scheme has been tailor-made by the architect to the needs of the family. designed over a single story, the floor plan is defined by a central courtyard that connects the indoor spaces with the external environment. this courtyard includes a large rooflight and an open facade on the front elevation that works to bring in natural light and ventilation. a small garden and pool of water also feature in this space, creating a beautifully tranquil place for the family to relax and play in.

on either side of the central courtyard, two rectangular volumes are positioned that contain the functions of the house. on one side, the more private bedrooms can be found while on the other side, the more social spaces are located, such as kitchen, living and dining areas. the courtyard therefore also works to effectively separate private and public uses.

the house of silence is constructed primarily from red brick and timber. this combination of natural materials creates a warm, inviting interior that also expresses an honest architectural expression as the structure is exposed from inside to outside. in essence, the design provides a moment of peace and calmness in an otherwise busy urban context.