Rediseño Arquitectónico del Centro de Exposiciones Ambato

Abstract

This degree thesis consists of the architectural redesign of what is currently known as the Ambato Exhibition Center (formerly known as PROA), due to the detected functional obsolescence of the infrastructure located at the study site. This property belongs to the Chamber of Industries and Production of Tungurahua (CIPT), a non-profit trade association dedicated to supporting and promoting businesses and activities within the productive sector that meet society's needs, with the ultimate goal of strengthening and developing the industrial sector in Tungurahua and Zone 3 of Central Ecuador. For this reason, this project focuses on the need to provide the city with a competitive, multifunctional exhibition facility. The existing building does not meet current demands for large-scale events or the spatial flexibility it should offer, additionally lacking key comfort parameters such as thermal, acoustic, and lighting performance. Through a qualitative approach at a descriptive-propositive level, on-site observation and diagnostic techniques were used along with architectural survey sheets and semistructured interviews with key stakeholders, including authorities, organizers, exhibitors, and visitors. The results of these applied techniques confirmed physical and functional deterioration in the main pavilions, rendering them incapable of hosting fair events efficiently. The proposal establishes a new architectural complex designed based on concepts such as "Bigness" and "Open Building" to achieve flexible functionality within the spaces along with internal autonomy. This results in a polyfunctional center capable of accommodating MICE industry activities, thereby guaranteeing the long-term operation of the building.