Ecuador Workshop

Image Gallery

On Day 3, Jan Wampler and three students from MIT’s Department of Architecture presented the design for the “Street Children’s Center” in Pascuales, Ecuador. They had been working for the last semester designing the building in this workshop. The event was marked by celebrations in the community: food was cooked, entertainment including dancing and singing by people of the community was held, and many came dressed in their best clothes. Between 800 to 1000 people came to the event that started in the afternoon and went on well into the evening.

The event ended by making a “corner stone” for the new building by having children’s handprints imprinted into wet concrete that then dried the next day, making a wall of handprints that the children can forever proudly point to. Jan Wampler, the students and Nicki Lehrer and Andrea Pazmino and others that organized the event also added their initials.

Previous to that day the group was welcomed into the community while walking through the streets and greeting the families. We were invited into their homes to share food and conversation. We all became friends instantly. We also were interviewed on local television stations and featured in stories written in local newspapers. Construction of the building is expected to start in the coming summer months.

When we left, four days later, what we left behind was a “corner stone”, drawings and a model for the new building but most importantly “hope” for a better life for this community. This is what we can bring to the world using the resources of MIT.

- Jan Wampler

The following images document the studio’s three days in Pascuales and Guayaquil.

Nicki Lehrer leads the tour of Pascuales. Wherever we went, we were surrounded by the children. We met with many of the communitys leaders, invited into their homes. There was natural beauty everywhere. At the end of our first day of touring, we waited for a ride in the town square of Pascuales. On the second day, balloons were prepared for the celebration. Communication was not always easy, but persistence paid off. The model was unveiled to the community. The children reviewed the model, and seemed satisfied. The crowd gathered for the evenings events. The members of the studio introduce themselves to the crowd. The presentation began, late in the afternoon. Jan Wampler explains the efforts of the studio to the crowd. A large crowd had gathered for the presentation. The crowd spilled beyond the limits of the court. Evening descends on the presentation. The celebration began with dancing, and continued long into the night. Children are engaged in making a cornerstone for their community center. The cornerstone is made, with handprints from the children. The appreciation is evident, from both sides. Pascuales town square, after a long but rewarding day. On the third day, we met with town leaders and interested people, to plan the construction of the center. And then we played soccer, the international game. Finally, before we left, we had time to be interviewed by a local television station.