Urlo Studio’s Pamba Bike Refuge Embedded into Ecuadorian Hillside

This article shines a light on Urlo Studio’s Pamba Bike Refuge, a 900-square-metre open-air pavilion designed for cyclists on Pambamarca Hill near Quito, Ecuador.

It examines how the project blends architecture, landscape, and social impact to create a climate-aware refuge that operates off-grid while integrating with its Andean surroundings.

Project Context and Concept

Positioned between earth and forest, the shelter draws park users into a protected rest area and shields them from the harsh Andean climate.

The design references ancient Andean pucarás by placing monumental volumes at either end, forming a functional pair: one end houses a reception and bike shop, the other a small restaurant-café.

Between these solids, a dogtrot-like central space serves as a sheltered gathering zone with picnic tables, planters, and sunken seating.

Waist-high glass partitions preserve views of the landscape while maintaining social permeability.

Architectural Form and Materials

Tinted concrete volumes anchor the ends, providing robust, weather-resistant bases for circulation, services, and hospitality.

A laminated mass-timber canopy spans between them, made of six porticos and wooden beams that create a light, permeable roof.

The structure balances solidity and openness, letting the environment enter the refuge while sheltering visitors from wind and rain.

Natural light enters through metal-framed openings and nearly invisible tempered glass, which protect occupants and equipment without blocking views of the hillsides.

Earth-toned pigments and resilient materials help the pavilion blend into its equatorial setting and withstand the region’s climate.

Spatial Configuration: Ends, Centre and Circulation

The layout emphasizes a clear flow: arrive at the reception or bike shop, pause in the central rest area, then continue to the café and out toward the landscape.

The dogtrot-like central space acts as a social spine, with planters and seating organized to encourage pause, conversation, and scenic appreciation.

This arrangement also promotes cross-ventilation and comfort, supporting the project’s off-grid objectives.

Sustainability and Off-Grid Strategy

Constructed on a sloped, off-grid site, the project required careful planning for materials, water, and electricity.

The team balanced performance and budget through creative design, use of available materials, prefabrication, and modular detailing.

The approach focuses on durability, low maintenance, and adaptability to the changing conditions of the equatorial highlands.

Interior Planting and Exterior Landscape

Interior planting features ferns, philodendrons, and yellow lilies, providing a lush contrast to the concrete and timber.

Exterior plantings include native species such as myrtle, white straw, and cat’s tail trees, reinforcing the project’s sense of place and supporting local biodiversity.

This landscape strategy complements the shelter’s protective envelope and expands the experience of the surrounding hillside ecosystem.

Project Team and Collaboration

Urlo Studio, founded in 2017 by Natalia Hidalgo, Francisco Moratal, and Diego Puente, blends architecture, planning, and social impact.

The Pamba Bike Refuge was documented by JAG Studio, with contributions from local consultants and suppliers who ensured the project reflected regional knowledge and materials.

The collaboration shows how design teams can deliver meaningful, community-oriented spaces within tight budgets and challenging terrains.

Why It Matters for Bike Infrastructure and Public Space

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Pamba Bike Refuge shows how well-designed bicycle infrastructure can become a durable, climate-responsive public amenity.

The mix of strong end volumes, a light timber canopy, and a central social corridor offers a model for off-grid pavilions that serve as waypoints for outdoor recreation.

These features also support ecological integration and visitor safety in challenging environments.

The project demonstrates how material choices, vernacular references, and landscape integration can create facilities that are both functional and environmentally responsible.

• Open-air, climate-adaptive hospitality for cyclists
• Mass timber canopy delivering structural efficiency with aesthetic lightness
• Tinted concrete ends provide durable programmatic anchors
• Off-grid strategy supporting remote, sloped sites
• Landscape-led design strengthening regional biodiversity and sense of place

 
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