Riba House: A Modern Home Built Around a Tree

Riba House sits in the Puembo Valley, Ecuador, on a curved corner plot shaped around a centuries-old carob tree. The tree became the guiding axis of the project, influencing both orientation and design. 

With 520 m² spread across two levels, the house from TEC Taller EC, is conceived as a bar-like structure that embraces the tree, framing it as the heart of the home.

The ground floor hosts public areas, arranged around a central courtyard and open to the street, while the upper floor holds the private rooms with views toward the Andes. A terrace extends the experience outward, blending architecture with landscape.

The kitchen combines warm wood cabinetry with marble counters veined in soft browns, creating a refined yet natural look. The kitchen opens to the garden through sliding panels, creating a seamless indoor–outdoor flow that frames the central tree as part of daily life.

The floating staircase is a striking element of the home. Wooden treads extend directly from the wall with no visible support, enhancing the sense of lightness in the space. At its base, a large planter with a tall tree and lush greenery creates a natural counterpart to the clean geometry, turning the stairwell into a sculptural feature flooded with natural light.

Photography: Lorena Darquea

The post Riba House: A Modern Home Built Around a Tree appeared first on Homedit.