High-Altitude Haven: Unpacking the Architectural Grandeur of El Pastizal House

For the discerning gentleman who craves a harmonious blend of rugged natural beauty and uncompromised architectural sophistication, the El Pastizal House by Ecuadorian studio Diez + Muller Arquitectos presents an utterly compelling proposition. Perched majestically on a hillside in Machachi, Ecuador, this four-bedroom residence is far more than just a dwelling; it’s a meticulously crafted “object in the landscape,” designed to forge an intimate, almost spiritual, link between mankind and the breathtaking Andean environment it inhabits.

Approaching El Pastizal from the south is an experience in itself, a gradual ascent up the slope that subtly reveals the house’s ingenious form. What initially appears as a low-lying structure slowly unveils taller elements, emerging gracefully from the terrain. The house’s core composition revolves around four striking rectangular forms that fan out, creating a series of intimate, triangular courtyards in their interstices. The journey culminates at a sunken courtyard, a serene oasis that houses a refreshing pool and marks the home’s primary entrance – an elegant transition from the external world to an internal sanctuary.

The genius of El Pastizal lies in its dynamic interplay of light, shadow, and texture. The exterior walls, cast in a unique salmon-coloured concrete, boast an angled hatch pattern from the board-forming process. This clever detailing ensures the surfaces perpetually dance with the changing light, revealing a captivating texture that grounds the contemporary design within its natural surroundings. Inside, the unfinished board-formed concrete walls continue to define the aesthetic, complemented by sleek, polished concrete flooring, creating a sophisticated yet robust interior palette that speaks to raw elegance.

What truly sets El Pastizal apart is its revolutionary blurring of the lines between interior and exterior. A series of glazed walkways gracefully run along the sides of the rectangular forms, offering tantalising glimpses and open views between different areas of the house. Furthermore, a succession of raised spaces, half-levels, and strategically placed porches ensures a continuous dialogue with the outdoors.

The structure’s ingenuity extends to its green credentials; the concrete, load-bearing walls effortlessly support massive raised beams, some spanning an impressive 12 metres, which in turn hold a series of planted roofs. These verdant rooftops not only help the house seamlessly blend into the majestic landscape, but they also serve a crucial functional purpose, responding with remarkable resilience to the unpredictable and often aggressive Andean equatorial climate, sitting at a staggering 3200 metres above sea level.

These green roofs ingeniously double as bridges, connecting covered roof patios and raised rooms to the higher natural slope on the north side of the house, inviting residents to explore their elevated surroundings. With plentiful glass and monitor windows, the living spaces boldly jut out from the hillside, embracing the expansive views and drawing the awe-inspiring surroundings directly into the heart of the home, cementing El Pastizal as a true masterpiece of integrated design.

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