Kengo Kuma & Associates Unveils Its First Project in Ecuador with Qapital Tower | ArchDaily

Save this picture!Qapital Tower Ecuador. Image Courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates(KKAA)Written by Reyyan DoganPublished on April 15, 2026 Share ShareFacebookTwitterMailPinterestWhatsappOrhttps://www.archdaily.com/1040686/kengo-kuma-and-associates-unveils-its-first-project-in-ecuador-with-qapital-tower Clipboard "COPY" CopyKengo Kuma & Associates has unveiled plans for Qapital, a 32-story mixed-use tower set to rise in Quito, Ecuador, in collaboration with local developer Uribe Schwarzkopf. Scheduled for completion in 2029, the project marks Japanese architect Kengo Kuma's first work in the country, extending the studio's international portfolio into the South American context. Located opposite La Carolina Park in Quito's central business district, the 125.8-meter tower introduces a vertically organized program that brings together residential, commercial, and shared amenities.+ 5 Save this picture!Qapital Tower Ecuador. Image Courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates(KKAA)The building's facade draws inspiration from the geology of the Andes, translating these references into a textured architectural expression. According to Kengo Kuma, the design draws on shared sensibilities between Japanese and Ecuadorian material cultures, particularly in its emphasis on natural textures and the integration of greenery into the building envelope. Carved balconies form recessed niches across the elevation, integrating greenery at multiple levels and introducing a sense of depth. This appr...