1028arq completes the transformation of a 12-square-meter terrace into a ceramics workshop in Quito, Ecuador, centered around a wooden pergola, fabric sunshades, and its facade. Designed for the sister of Alejandro Ramos, one of the architecture practice’s founders, the studio features a sphere that shapes the sunshades into a dome, evoking a classical element, mirrored on the back wall and facade.
Under the “dome,” the potter’s wheel spins, providing a space that resembles a small presbytery. My sister can work here with the feeling of being in a special, almost sacred, place. The wooden pergola rests on the walls and supports the metal frames that create a gable roof. Beneath this structure, the dome-shaped sunscreens, the semi-arch of the façade, and the shelves combine yellow metal and pine wood, creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing space.
Alejandro Ramos
Under the dome, 1028arq crafted the workspace to provide practical functionality and artistic inspiration. The semi-arched facade echoes the curves of the sunshades, while the interior balances openness and enclosure, allowing light to filter through the fabric. Providing shelter for focused work, this small studio becomes a peaceful retreat where creativity can thrive. For the ceramist, the workshop reflects the quiet mindfulness that the art of ceramics embodies.
For my sister, ceramics is a blend of design, craftsmanship, and mindfulness. I like to think that this studio embodies the first two. I hope, sister, that this space provides you with the inspiration and peace you need to achieve the third.
Photo
Carlos Palacios
