A NEW SKYLINE BY THE RIVERFRONT

An attempt to recreate the various juxtapositions in the city's landscape, this residential project with sustainability at its core also doubles up as a green oasis for visitors

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Project: The Hills, Guayaquil, Ecuador; Architects: MVRDV, Netherlands

Located on the Guayas riverfront in the port city of Guayaquil in Ecuador, this residential project was designed for Quito-based developer Uribe Schwarzkopf. It comprises six residential towers atop a mixed-use plinth that creates a lively, landscaped "valley" on its roof. The design is inspired by the many juxtapositions found in Guayaquil itself-from the broad expanse of the river contrasted with nearby mountains, to the sight of modern high-rises on the shoreline set against the colourful hillside settlements of the Santa Ana hill.

The Hills add a dramatic new addition to the Guayaquil skyline. The project is located in Puerto Santa Ana, extending the boulevard that is gradually being consolidated along much of the city's waterfront. The six residential towers range from 92 to 143 metres, rising taller as they step away from the riverfront, thus echoing the way the city 'steps up' from the waterfront to the hills behind.

At the base of the project, the towers merge together to form a terraced green valley that contains an oasis of pools, sports fields and a large urban amphitheatre facing the riverfront, all surrounded by lush, natural vegetation. Inside this base are shops, a large community clubhouse, and other amenities. Between the four towers located closest to the river and the two towers at the rear of the development is a deeper 'canyon', providing extra spaces for retail and creating a route for pedestrians to cross the site at ground level, while also enabling the project to be built in two phases.