THE POINT - ECUADOR

Christian Wiese

wiese

Biography

Christian Wiese is a young architect with professional practices, both in Europe and in South America. Christian Wiese Arquitectos was founded in 1999. Since then the firm has accumulated several important achievments, winning more than 15 local and international architecture contests. Among those are:

• CTBUH (Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat) 2014 Project Finalist with The Point Building, the tallest building in Ecuador (137.09m) located in Guayaquil.

• Premio Ornato (Quito Municipality) 2013 Project Finalist in Urban Equipment Category with FLACSO Library Building located in Quito.

• Premio Ornato (Quito Municipality) 2004 Overall First Place with FLACSO Headquarters Building located in Quito.

• Miami Architecture Biennial 2009 Gold Medal with Urban Plaza Building located in Quito.

Christian Wiese Arquitectos is considered, thanks to this achievments and finished projects, among the top architects in Latin America, working in colaboration with the most recognized promoters.

Christian Wiese is also well known for changing the skyline and the landscape of architecture with urban developments like “Ciudad del Río”. Most recently he was commissioned to plan the Swissotel Towers, which will rise to a total height of 160 meters. Both projects located in Guayaquil- Ecuador. His architectural practice is developing at the moment several private projects for his favorite German city, Hamburg.

THE POINT

ARCHITECT: CHRISTIAN WIESE

OWNER: PRONOBIS

CITY: GUAYAQUIL

COUNTRY: ECUADOR

The project expresses Guayaquil’s will to erect an eye-catching iconic high rise building as a symbol of the city’s recent economic development. Nevertheless, traditional construction methods were used to match the proposed budget. Thus, the building presented a challenge for the whole design team as an structure this high (136 meters) had never been constructed in Ecuador. The tower is located within Guayaquil’s newest urban development, at the north end of an important promenade adjacent to the Guayas river.

The concept includes the generation of a new urban landmark symbol for both the area and the city. A typical square floor plan of 32 x 32 meters is

generated and rotates 6 degrees counterclockwise as it ascends vertically counterclockwise up to 36 stories tall. Square corners are round trimmed to avoid excessive cantilever stress to the radial structure. Orthogonal elevator shafts provide a solid concrete core. The result is a sinuous sculptural volume similar to a vessel mooring rope that evokes the city’s shipyards and port history. The Point symbolizes the spirit of a modern city that now houses the highest building in Ecuador.

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