Cultural Centre Chamanaga

Chamanaga (Ecuador) 2018

Munich University of Applied Sciences (MUAS) (Germany)

Portland State University (USA)

University of Tokyo (Japan)

The village of Chamanga at the coast of Ecuador was destroyed to 80% by an earthquake in Spring 2016. There is an urgent need for opportunities and space for children and youth to spend their time meaningfully as they suffer most suffer under poor economic, hygienic and social conditions.
The task of this DesignBuild Studio was to develop a cultural centre in collaboration with the NGO ā€œOpción MĆ”sā€, teaching, practicing and performing arts and music, as they lost their rented rooms in the earthquake.
The centre offers multi-usable and modifiable spaces for theatre, music, dance, sports and arts. A stage at the end of the entrance hall allows performances and cinema presentations. The other spaces offer different functions and can be connected or separated from the main hall. A compost toilet and a rain-water collection complete the compound.
The project was developed in two steps. In autumn 2017, Portland State University and Tokyo University constructed the first part, a one story 5 x 9 m brick-cube. MUAS took over and designed and build a second brick-cube and the second floor as a bamboo and wood- construction.

Participant Names
Client: Opción Mas, Chamanga

Tutors (Phase II, MUAS): Ursuala Hartig, Schmid, Schiemann. (Phase I, Portland State University): Palleroni, Ferry, Petteni, Ruiz. (Phase I, Tokyo University): Araki, Okabe, Sato; Ruiz

Students (Phase II, MUAS): Arzberger, Bachert, Baumeister, Biet, Brandt, Fuerstenberg, Gloeckler, Haberlander, Hacker, Hoermann, Keilhacker, Kuisl, Loserth, Makowski, Pfeffer, Reiser, Rischer, Rosenfeld, Schmid, Seifert, Zettl. (Phase I, Portland State University): Chandler, Gerkhardt, lancu, Jones, Ducay, Lindner, Peterson, Pleasant, Rodriguez, Sagrero, Sanchez, Van Duzen. (Phase I, Tokyo University): Kawasaki, Ryokawa, Sakura,


Phase I +II collaboration, co-design: Atarraya Taller: Burbano, Oviedo;
Co-operation: Angst, del Hierro, Maron, Vogliano, Movimiento Mi Cometa, Community of Chamanga.

Research Question
Design: organization of high flexible spaces for multiple uses as dance-, music-, theatre and arts- workshops, capacitation courses, assemblies, performances, broadcasting on a very small plot. Integration of a composting toilet. Showing an open character by protection against unauthorized intrusion
Technique: Earthquake-resistance in massive concrete/brick construction and light bamboo. Wood construction; applicable techniques and methods against insect-attack of bamboo.
Participatory Process: development of a balanced participatory co-design method
Design Process: international co-design in two following up phases involving three universities, the client and the local co-operator.


Portland State University, University of Tokyo, Engineering, Ecuador, Munich University of Applied Sciences, Client-funded, Permanent, Architecture, Months, Self-funded, 11-50, Sponsorship, Postgraduate, +, Collaboration, Curricular, Students with researcher