Picadero / Gabriel Rivera Arquitectos

El Picadero is located in the Andes Mountains, in the province of Cotopaxi, Ecuador, in the Tanicuchí Parish. Located in Lasso, the project sits in a rural area dedicated to agriculture and cattle raising. Due to its proximity to the Cotopaxi volcano and Los Ilinizas, it is characterized by a cold climate, sandy soil and Andean vegetation, where eucalyptus trees, which are not native, have spread throughout the area. The 5,000 m2 rectangular lot, is full of eucalyptus trees that paint the ground in reddish, brown and mustard colors when leaves fall. The main house is located on the east side of the lot, while the stables are located on the west side. The purpose of the commission was to develop an in-between space, considering the main house and the stables around it. A space composed of a jumping arena for horses, a service area, and a versatile space designed to change over time (initially a play area that is meant to evolve into suites and a common area).