The Palenque Cultural Tambillo, located in the mangrove forests of northwestern Ecuador, will provide a socio-historically sensitive civic space dedicated to further cultivating the intergenerational transmission of the artistic culture of the Afroecuadorian community. These at risk musical and dance traditions are inscribed as part of the UNESCO list of the intangible heritage of humanity. This project will directly benefit the over 600 children who currently participate in the Incrustados en el Manglar musical group. Work with local leaders has led to the design of the Palenque as an important hub for artists, artisans and community workshops concerning social and environmental issues that affect the town of Tambillo and its neighbors.

Our 7 Goals With This Project

This project is a step towards a new future in Tambillo that promotes an idea of modernity that evolves from a dialogue between their unique traditions and their current situation rather than the wholesale adoption of standardized building practices, schooling and "first world" cultural iconography. Through the construction of a cultural center traditional, more environmentally relevant building techniques can be revalorized and further developed with the inclusion of new materials and innovative constructive processes. This building becomes not only a protective shelter for cultural development and the fostering of self identity of these youth, but also an educational process for builders, designers and children alike that will lead to new economic and social opportunities. The use of environmentally friendly, inexpensive materials such as earth and sustainably harvested wood in a earthquake resistant manner will provide alternatives to materials that are destructive, expensive in this context and short lasting in this climate such as CMUs. The carpenters and laborers will be trained in skills with wood and earth construction that are in higher demand following the mass destruction of concrete housing in the recent earthquake on the coast of Ecuador.

The social impact of the Palenque has already been felt before the construction has even begun. The design process has given birth to ideas concerning community tourism, the creation of an Incrustados en el Manglar foundation to channel funds to locally significant social, ecological and education projects, and increasing local interconnection and economic potential by having performances in an inviting context. In addition to these plans for a better future, the Palenque will immediately help with a large problem that Tambillo faces because the local school does not have enough teachers for the children to have a full day of school. The youth will now be able to spend the other half of the school day in a community organized cultural education program that will foster skills that complement their standard curriculum.

The Tambillo community, and the larger Afro community in Esmeraldas, has received this project with open arms. The work that the Ochún Foundation has done for the last 20 years in communities such as Tambillo engenders good will and has established a solid network of local leaders in politics, music, dance, education and other areas. Due to the relationship with Malena Solís, the parochial president, the salaries of the local workers in the construction will be assumed by the parochial government. This has been calculated at $30,000 which is a large but worthwhile sacrifice in a time of recession in Ecuador's economy. The county government of San Lorenzo has pledged $15,000 and assistance with materials such as concrete and gravel. Many landowners in Tambillo have also pledged materials such as wood, palm leaves and sand.

The Incrustados en el Manglar group, aside from opening the door to their homes and rehearsals, have been an invaluable part in dreaming and designing this project. Hector Ortíz and Alfredo García have tirelessly explained the cultural history of Tambillo and organized interviews and workshops with community elders, children and musicians in Tambillo and the neighboring towns.

Our model of design is based on long term investigation that results in precise well studied projects that have long term projections of social and economic sustainability. The design team of Caá Porá Architects, Siete86 Architects and Ingenieria Alternativa is composed of: