Quito, Ecuador-based developer Uribe Schwarzkopf has partnered with Japanese architecture studio Kengo Kuma & Associates to reveal plans for Qapital.
Set for completion in 2029, the 32-story mixed-use tower—rising nearly 413 feet above the city’s central business district opposite La Carolina Park—marks Kuma’s first Ecuador project.
A building carved by nature
Drawing inspiration from the rich geology of the Andes, the building’s textured exterior mirrors the mountain range’s rugged beauty. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping views, while balconies appear as organic niches carved directly into the structure.
Accentuated by greenery on every level, this foliage emulates the porous surface of Andean rocks, providing space for plants to grow within the crevices and be a part of the residents’ daily life.
This organic language extends into the interiors, where curved forms set a foundation for a serene, natural palette and abundant indoor greenery.
“I have long been interested in the similarities between ancient ceramics in Japan and Ecuador—their shared sensitivities to form and the valorization of natural material,” says Kengo Kuma, founder of Kengo Kuma & Associates. “With Qapital, that focus on nature and texture became the starting point for the design, visible through the building’s carved façade and the weaving of nature into the heart of the city.”
Elevated amenities at Qapital
The interior program caters to a modern, dynamic lifestyle, featuring three ground-floor commercial units alongside 509 micro-studio apartments that range from 226 to 389 square feet. Residents will have access to a dedicated wellness area, fitness center, private cinema, game room, and a pet spa.
Crowning the tower is a sprawling rooftop terrace featuring an outdoor swimming pool adorned by a Fornasetti mosaic, a detail that marks the legacy Italian brand’s first project in South America.
