→ Al Borde

Al Borde is an architecture firm established in Quito, Ecuador, in 2007, by Pascual Gangotena, David Barragán, Marialuisa Borja, and Esteban Benavides. With a focus on promoting local development, social innovation, and sustainability, their architectural approach transforms limited resources into aesthetic opportunities, prioritizing both location and community engagement. The firm has earned global recognition, receiving numerous prestigious awards including the Holcim Award Acknowledgement Latin America (2014), the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture in Paris (2013), and the Schelling Architecture Prize in Germany (2012). Al Borde's innovative work has been prominently showcased in significant exhibitions like the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism (2021) and the Venice Architecture Biennial (2016). Their projects have garnered attention in various publications, including the monograph Less is All (2020), and they also co-produced the documentary film Do More with Less (2018). Currently, the firm is engaged in producing a docu-series that delves into the cultural, environmental, social, economic, and political contexts surrounding their projects.