Pablo Lituma

Masters
Architecture; Community and Regional Planning

Research Title : An Inquiry into Modern Architectural Design Influences on Ecuador's Indigenous Communities and Their Cultural Preservation

Pablo Lituma, a student in the dual master's program of Architecture and Community and Regional Planning, traveled to Ecuador in the summer of 2017 to understand how the built environment and changes in architectural design of residential spaces affect cultural preservation within four Ecuadorean Indigenous communities and cities. Pablo’s research aims to provide an understanding of vernacular indigenous architecture and the current architectural phenomenon that has resulted from globalization, shedding light on globalization issues present in urban and rural environments. His study explores how local indigenous culture (embedded values and norms) influence local (vernacular) architecture language, which will enable designs that support culture and address local needs respective to their distinct communities.