
GALAPAGOS RETREAT
Architecture Competition
Brief
Puerto Ayora: The Heart of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are known for their fragile ecosystems, endemic species, and their role in Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. However, increasing tourism and urban expansion threaten this delicate balance. As visitor numbers rise and infrastructure demands grow, the islands face significant challenges in preserving their unique biodiversity while accommodating the needs of both locals and tourists. Unregulated construction, resource depletion, and habitat disruption have intensified concerns over sustainable development in this ecologically sensitive region.
The Challenge is to develop a sustainable eco-hotel in the Galapagos, the design must balance conservation, innovation, and community engagement. In Puerto Ayora’s fragile ecosystem, it should prioritize adaptive reuse, low-impact methods, and alignment with local ecological and cultural values.
Sustainability & Environment : Repurpose unfinished buildings using local materials (volcanic rock, bamboo) and passive design (natural ventilation, solar shading). Integrate renewable energy (solar panels, rainwater harvesting) and sustainable waste systems (composting, greywater recycling).
Architecture & Structure : Ensure modular, flexible designs for future expansion with lightweight constructionand climate-responsive facades, blending with the Galapagos landscape.
Tourism & Community : Promote eco-tourism, local involvement, and shared public spaces, while encouraging sustainable mobility (bike paths, electric transport.
Keywords
Addition - Reuse - Identity - Detail - Adaptability
Winners
Honorable Mentions
TOP20

ISLAND WAVE
Egor Kiselev Russia

UNITAS
Mário Melek - Dominik Haviar - Barbora Gunišová
Slovakia

TREE HOUSE
Lin Xie - Nevena Dilparic - Zhang Lulu
China

THE FLOATING DROP
Olga Sinelnikova Russia

OASIS OF GALAPAGOS
Artem Sultanov - Kirill Taravko
Russia

GAPS AS HABITAT
Zhifeng Li - Yuqing Wang
China

ECOTONE HOTEL
Takuya Hosokai - Moe Masui - Nanae Nogami - Remi Utsunomiya - Keiko Yoshida
Japan

PENULTIMO
Ai Ling Mak Kieve Mercado - Alex Yango Singapore

LA COMUNA HABITAT HOTEL
Kevin Aragon - Ivan Reyes - Miguel Tinoco
Ecuador

SHELLOW SPACE
Polina Kureneva - Ekaterina Rozhkova - Alexandra Dombrovskaya - Ekaterina Tikhonova
Italy

BIOME - NEST
Rohit Belvikar India

GALÁPAGOS RESURGE - BEYOND WALLS
Johana Mendoza Ecuador

COEXISTING WITH NATURE
Kohei Kamei - Ryo Hasegawa - Kaori Matsuo - Yui Shioda
Japan

FROM OUTSIDER TO NEIGHBOR
Sutapat Parapat - Chayanis Khonkaen - Sarinpone Saengpichai
Thailand

ESTRUCTURA VIVA
Zhixi Long - Yutong Mu - Qiqi Liu
Canada

CASA BREVE
Türkay Korkusuz
Göktuğ Yiğitol - Deniz Çıray - Ceren Çamlıca
Turkey

ADVENTURE BY NATURE
Anastasia Lukashchuk - Lesuhina Vladislava
Russia

A GALÁPAGOS MANUAL TO COMPLETE THE INCOMPLETE
Debora Strenge - David Peralta - Juan Carlos Bamba
Germany

CARAPACE RETREAT
Mira Samy - Youmna abdelmonseif - Karen farouk - Youstina Beshir
Egypt

A HOUSE LIKE NATURE
Jeonghun Han - Hyeyoung Kim
Republic of Korea
OUR JURY
Each jury is carefully selected, bringing together professionals whose expertise directly relates to the focus of the competition.
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Ilse martinez
Lighting Designer at Licht Kunst Licht
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Lucia Oberfrancová
Research assistent & teacher at Hochschule Wismar
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Liam Hayward-Mills
Architectural project manager & designer
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Luis Loaiza
Associate & Landscape Architect EDSA, inc.
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Mariam Korachy
Founder of Mariam Korachy Architects
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Hartwig Duensing
Founder of Duensing Architekten