Pensamiento ancestral andino y cultura contemporánea. Anteproyecto arquitectónico de un centro cultural en el sector de El Ejido, Cuenca

Abstract

Contemporary architecture in Cuenca exhibits a critical disconnect from the symbolic and spiritual roots of the Andean region, resulting in a fragmentation between the urban territory and living cultural practices. In response to this loss of identity, this work proposes a preliminary design for a cultural center in the El Ejido sector, conceived as a symbolically active space that revalorizes ancestral thought within the current urban context. The proposal is based on an analysis of the Andean worldview and its intrinsic connection to space, as well as on a comprehensive study of the site's physical, social, and regulatory context, thus establishing the necessary guidelines for an architecture that is coherent with its surroundings and its historical memory. To realize this vision, the methodology employs interpretive tables that translate the mythic-symbolic foundations of Andean spirituality into concrete design premises, allowing the intangible to guide spatial form and function. The architectural program is developed from the reinterpretation of pre-Hispanic typologies, seeking alignment between their original logics and contemporary usage requirements. Ultimately, the proposal transcends the aesthetics realm to consolidate itself as a space for community appropriation; an architectural bridge where collective memories are not only preserved but also projected into the future, harmoniously integrating ancestral tradition with urban modernity.