Architects: FB+ estudio, Jimenez Arquitectos
Area: 25 m²
Year: 2020
Manufacturers: AutoDesk, Taquil
Category: Chapel
A Lead Architects: Iván Jimenez, Freddy Bonilla
Graphics And Plans: Mateo Figueroa
Layout: Kelly Lituma
Illustrations Of The Altar: Belén Oviedo
Illustrations Of The Chapet: Oscar Cuenca
Drone Video: Francisco Samaniego
Parish Priest Of Taquil: Victor Manuel Yanangómez Tandazo
Artistic Collaboration: Boris Salinas / Ñaño Casa Museo
Clay Sculpture: Bayardo Cuenca
Community Liaison: Bolívar Bonilla
Trustees Of The Parish And Church: Rosita, Walter, Jhon
Black And White Illustrations: Carlos Valarezo
Construction: Habitantes de Taquil
Country: Ecuador
Taquil Cemetery Chapel, a religious building constructed by the local community in Loja, Ecuador, has reinforced collective identity and spiritual tradition through a low-cost, open-air architectural solution. Designed to host an annual mass for the deceased, the chapel is positioned at the top of the cemetery mountain and reflects the community’s connection to Catholic ritual and rural practices. Led by the parish priest and local syndics, the project uses self-construction methods and materials readily available in the area—stone, earth, wood, and primarily recycled tiles. These tiles, recovered from abandoned rural homes, form the structure through an overlapping tile-laying system, with the first third built solidly and the remainder ventilated by tubes. The curved tile walls follow a tractrix line to reduce wind impact and open views to the landscape, while a zenithal aperture brings natural light into the space. Artistic contributions, including a suspended Holy Spirit sculpture and mosaics made from reused materials, enrich the chapel’s surfaces. The building now serves as both a sacred gathering space and a local landmark, supporting occasional tourism and contributing to the microeconomy.
The project involves the construction of a new chapel in the cemetery of Taquil, a rural parish in the city of Loja, Ecuador. Designed as a place for the annual mass in honor of the deceased, the initiative was organized by the parish priest, local syndics, and the broader community.
The design brief required a solution that could be built with extremely limited financial and material resources. The architects focused on what the area could naturally provide, emphasizing a pragmatic and localized architectural response.
Taquil maintains strong rural traditions and a continuing attachment to the Catholic faith. Religious activity in the area is often held outdoors. In this context, the chapel responds by formalizing these practices through an open-air structure placed at the summit of the cemetery mountain.
Community-led construction became the project’s central driver. Residents—direct users of the space—took part in daily building activities. The process prioritized manual labor and collective involvement as the main resources for realization.
The limited budget made it necessary to turn to local, low-cost materials and established vernacular building systems. Stone, earth, wood, and particularly roof tiles were selected based on availability and familiarity. Recycled tiles sourced from abandoned rural homes were chosen as the project’s primary construction material. These elements had survived local climate conditions and were valued for their longevity, recyclability, and symbolic continuity.
The structural system relies on stacking tiles, with the first third of the building formed using continuous layers and the remaining two-thirds incorporating ventilation tubes to channel wind. This method created both enclosure and airflow within the space.
The chapel’s curving reinforced tile walls follow a tractrix geometry. This form reduces wind pressure while framing views across the landscape. A central oculus introduces zenithal light into the space, reinforcing its ceremonial function.
Artistic work was integrated through material reuse and communal input. A sculpture of the Holy Spirit is suspended from the façade, while mosaics composed of recycled fragments cover the altar, flooring, and portions of the tile structure. Stones placed manually between tile joints mark individual contributions.
The chapel has since become a key landmark for the parish. It serves not only for the annual religious gathering but also draws intermittent tourism, supporting local microeconomic activity while preserving collective memory through architectural means.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Loja, Ecuador
The location specified is intended for general reference and may denote a city or country, but it does not identify a precise address.
