BIG completes first building in South America

BIG completes first building in South America

After four years of construction, IQON rises 130 m making it the tallest building in the Ecuadorian capital Quito—a city with one of the highest elevations in the world.


Traditionally a city of dense low-rise buildings, the skyline of Quito was re-imagined following the relocation of the city-center airport over a decade ago. With the skyline able to grow upwards, Uribe Schwarzkopf hired BIG in 2017 to design IQON—a 390,000 sq ft mixed-use residential building, including 215 residences, commercial units, office spaces, and a variety of amenities. In addition to IQON, BIG and Uribe Schwarzkopf’s EPIQ Residences, located nearby, is slated to finish construction in 2023.

Photo: Pablo Casals Aguirre

Weve tried to take all the iconic qualities of Quitosuch as the enjoyment of living in one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, in a city on the equator where the seasons are perfect for both human and plant lifeand bring that experience into the vertical dimension. IQON is an entire vertical community of individual homes; an extension of La Carolina Park that now climbs all the way up to the rooftop,” says Bjarke Ingels, Founder and Creative Director, BIG.

Photo: Pablo Casals Aguirre

Source: Press Release

Cover Photo: BICUBIK

more to read
Krampus, the Christmas devil—or is it?
lifestyle

Krampus, the Christmas devil—or is it?

Almost everyone is familiar with the figure of the Krampus, but perhaps less so with who he was in the original folktales. Many people refer to him as the anti-Santa, or the demon opposing Father Christmas, the arch-enemy of the red-clad, big-bearded, potbellied gentleman. But in fact, Krampus in the
EU space center in Prague opens to the public
lifestyle

EU space center in Prague opens to the public

On 9 and 10 December, you’re invited to visit one of the most important sites for space exploration in Europe. Prague is one of the European Union’s main centers for space research, but what exactly scientists do here is a mystery to most people. This weekend offers a
Spend a night in Bilbo’s cottage in the Shire
lifestyle

Spend a night in Bilbo’s cottage in the Shire

In the event of the tenth anniversary of The Hobbit, some lucky fans can now spend a night in Bilbo Baggins’ cottage. It’s been ten years since the first part of The Hobbit trilogy was released, and to mark the occasion, Airbnb has come up with a very special