Arquitectura en contextos andinos: diseño del Centro Bioproductivo de Cafe en Vilcabamba, Loja

Abstract

Abstract: This study presents the design of a coffee agro-production center in Vilcabamba, which aims to strengthen the coffee value chain, the economy, and tourism. In a place like Vilcabamba, where coffee production is increasing exponentially but its visibility is progressively decreasing, the need has arisen to create a space that emphasizes the territorial identity that coffee farming provides to the parish. To this end, a qualitative, descriptive, and design-based methodology was implemented, guided by an exploratory study that combines observation, analysis, and active participation. According to preliminary findings, local coffee farmers have limited participation in the production chain due to a lack of adequate infrastructure for the storage, production, and distribution of this product. For this reason, it is concluded that a new rural architecture proposal is a key tool for integrating culture and the economy; to this end, an optimal solution is provided that not only seeks to strengthen coffee farming but also revitalizes the Andean rural environment and transforms it into an adaptable and sustainable space.