Diseño arquitectónico del centro de desarrollo infantil San Jacinto de Izamba, Ambato

Abstract

This research develops the architectural preliminary design for the San Jacinto Child Development Center in the parish of Izamba, Ambato canton, as a response to the critical conditions of the existing infrastructure, characterized by its location in a geotechnical risk zone, structural pathologies, and spatial deficiencies that compromise child safety and development. The study identifies technical, regulatory, and pedagogical problems that justify urgent intervention, supported by territorial analyses using PESTL and SWOT matrices, as well as a multicriteria evaluation of alternative sites based on guidelines from the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion. Through methodological triangulation of theoretical frameworks, architectural references, and interviews with six experts, six essential design criteria were consolidated: spatial flexibility, bioclimatic integration, autonomous child-scale design, interior-exterior relationship, integral safety, and sensory stimulation. These guidelines ensure compliance with institutional and technical regulations while incorporating pedagogical principles from Reggio Emilia and Montessori, optimizing the environmental comfort conditions specific to Izamba's mesothermal climate. The resulting proposal configures a safe, accessible, and pedagogically relevant educational facility that transcends an assistential function to become a community landmark. The design prioritizes future adaptability, sustainability through passive environmental conditioning strategies, and the creation of stimulating environments that enhance meaningful learning, establishing a replicable model for comprehensive early childhood care in similar territorial contexts.