This study presents the collective development of a baseline for the design of housing typologies for Kichwa communities in the lower Napo region of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Based on five participatory workshops involving 60 families across diverse age and gender groups, the research identified prevalent family structures and associated dwelling practices, including daily routines, productive activities, and communal life. These findings will inform an architectural proposal grounded in Kichwa spatial logics while integrating technically viable construction strategies adapted to the region’s hot and humid climate. Specifically, the found parameters aim for the integration of modular systems combining prefabricated components with local materials such as guadua and tropical hardwoods, as well as hybrid construction techniques that allow for flexibility and progressive expansion. The proposed baseline seeks to optimize the relationship between form, structure, and function, resulting in a replicable base model that can be formally included in MIDUVI’s official housing typologies for the Amazon. By articulating local knowledge with technical design principles, this research contributes to the development of culturally embedded, environmentally sustainable, and socially inclusive housing solutions. Supported by Ecuador’s Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, this work advances the conversation on appropriate housing in Indigenous territories, linking public policy with community-driven design.
Rodas et al. (2026) studied this question.