Quito, Ecuador is becoming a creative cultural hub in South America. Ian Volner reports on the dynamic city for Travel + Leisure, describing it as a “hot spot for design, food and more” and noting its evolving skyline, which includes two residential projects from BIG: IQON and EPIQ. IQON, BIG’s first building in South America, rises 130m and 32-stories high. Biophilia from the neighboring La Carolina Park extends up onto its façade – which doubles as the building’s structure – and into the private domain of each home. Comprised by a single tower in two divided blocks, EPIQ is conceived as a “vertical city” that also brings the dramatic natural environment of Quito into its structure. The design of EPIQ reflects the colors and patterns of Ecuador, taking the inspiration for its façade from the earth tones and herringbone pattern of tiles seen through the streets of Quito’s Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
