Situated in the Puembo Valley in the Ecuadorian Andes, the 520 m² Casa Riba residence is spread over two levels and interacts with the surrounding landscape through its shapes and materials. The Tec Taller Ec studio focused entirely on a single element that dictated the concept of the entire project: a carob tree.

The house's design is not only modelled to preserve the tree, but also to frame and highlight it. This design concept takes the relationship with the natural element to an extreme: a quarter circle has been carved out to 'contain' the carob tree, which is not native to this area, and which rises to the full height of the house. The glass façade connecting the architecture and the tree does not follow the curved shape of the volume, but is instead positioned in an L-shape, allowing more design freedom for the interior.

In more detail, the living area is located on the ground floor, with the side entrance marked on the façade by a deep void that interrupts the curved wall — a design feature that highlights the main entrance while also introducing a contemplative pause in the visual sequence of the façade.

On the upper level, however, the space is more intimate with a compact volume that leaves room for a large terrace. The connection between the floors is a light staircase with wooden treads only, overlooking a glass wall.

The choice of materials also suggests a desire to connect with the landscape. Where the large transparent surfaces are interrupted, a blanket of vertical wooden slats adds rhythm to the volumes, further reinforcing the idea of an essential link between built matter and nature.