Lima Gallery
How can a sea urchin inspire the design of a private residential complex and public art center?
Lima Gallery reimagines the relationship between living spaces, art, and nature by combining a private residential community with one of Lima’s most important avant-garde galleries. Set dramatically along the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the design balances urban density and organic inspiration through a careful application of modular and metabolic architecture principles.
Location
Lima, Peru
Research Areas Parametric Design
Typology Commercial
Size
Medium
Status Complete
Project Team Carlos ArnaizLaura del PinoMelissa Bauld
We consider each project on its own terms and develop tailored responses. Learn about our vision and mission.
The building is organized as a modular grid of residential units, optimizing construction efficiency and spatial flexibility. A network of private terraces radiates from the grid in a configuration inspired by the sea urchin, introducing an organic, parametric texture to the otherwise rectilinear structure. This intricate design not only livens the building’s silhouette but also maximizes daylight, ventilation, and privacy for each unit—hallmarks of energy-efficient planning.
On the ground floor, the gallery extends into an open-air courtyard that wraps around an outdoor exhibition space. Designed to moderate Lima’s desert-like climate, the concrete material of the courtyard acts as a thermal mass, keeping the space comfortable year-round. The public areas invite visitors into an immersive artistic experience while seamlessly connecting to the residential components above.
Our approach is strategically driven and informed. Click here to learn about our process.
At the rear, a series of balconies frame mountain views while ensuring the privacy of residents. Throughout, parametric design tools informed the placement of terraces, balconies, and shading devices, creating a dynamic façade that responds to the site’s unique environmental conditions.
Lima Gallery stands as an example of how art, community, and architecture can coexist, demonstrating the potential of metabolic and modular design strategies to shape a vibrant, sustainable urban future.