Gaia is located near a newly proposed government building that incorporates a metro stop, a large shopping center, and the city's most important urban park. The mixed-use building with its sculptural movement acts as a creative attractor for inhabitants of the offices as well as the residential spaces. This requires a modified synergy between city and building. The varied programming actively engages the local fabric throughout the day, becoming a catalyst for what will inevitably soon be a hotspot.

Our office has been formed from our personal experiences. The fact that both partners transitioned from a more traditional background to contemporary education has influenced us and nurtured our growth and also allowed for a better understanding of our different surroundings. Having worked in multiple countries and traveled around the many extremes of the world gave us the tools to help move a local Ecuadorian architecture to a global perspective and push our personal agendas of materiality and form. The unique experiences constantly provoque conversation for the opportunities of creating a better place with the simplicity of good design.

Leppanen + Anker Arquitectos is an architecture office founded by Aaron Leppanen and Gabriela Anker in Quito, Ecuador. They have worked across multiple scales, programs and cultures. L+A Arquitectos has a strong interest in developing spatial experiences through a merger of contextual, cultural, sustainable and formal influences. The office has a diverse background with experience in residential, commercial, cultural, educational and health care projects both in the public and private sectors. The office is located in historic Quito, Ecuador.