The project takes place on Portete Island, in Esmeraldas, Ecuador—one of the areas most affected by the 2016 earthquake. Home to around 80 families, most residents depend on mass and local tourism, often lacking environmental awareness.

Displacement to the mainland led to the island’s neglect. Today, it faces critical pressure, as it is being repopulated without planning or regulation. Uncontrolled growth threatens to destroy its ecosystem and the qualities that make it unique.

Traditional materials like bamboo, hardwoods, and toquilla straw have been replaced by concrete, blocks, and zinc sheets. Local building systems—affordable, accessible, and sustainable—have been stigmatized as “poor” and are disappearing, along with the knowledge to build resilient, low-impact infrastructure that supports local employment.

For 4.5 years, in close collaboration with the community, we’ve worked to revalue bamboo and toquilla construction—renewable and low-impact materials—to create public and community spaces that promote social development and responsible tourism. This approach offers an alternative vision for sustainable growth rooted in cultural and environmental conservation.

To date, six houses, a community area, a children’s play village, and a dock have been built. We’ve strengthened local construction skills and now aim to scale up with larger projects: a communal hall, sports center, school-museum, church, and other public spaces.

This project contributes to the long-term development capacity of Portete by investing in public and communal spaces as tools for education and transformation. “Public space educates”—this is the foundation of our work. By building infrastructure through a learn-by-doing model, we train men and women in new trades while creating high-quality, inclusive spaces: classrooms, workshops, sports facilities, a museum, and multi-generational community hubs. In parallel, we’re professionalizing bamboo construction as a sustainable industry in the region.

This process has been co-created with local leaders and the community. Already, the project has generated construction jobs for over 30 people and long-term tourism-related employment for more than 8 residents—significant impact in a community of just 80 families.

These new public spaces are designed as the island’s heart, aiming to attract responsible, year-round international tourism that ensures steady income. Key projects include: a 300m² multipurpose community center; a 1000m² sports and cultural venue; and the School-Museum—reviving the old school to educate about Afro-Ecuadorian heritage, local biodiversity, and sustainability. Built components like the “Palenque de Libertad,” playground village, and dock now welcome visitors.

Future steps include church roofing, clean water systems, renewable energy, waste management, and an ongoing vocational school—building not just infrastructure, but long-term resilience and opportunity.

"Salvando Portete" is the result of a collaborative effort that has brought together a diverse group of professionals, community leaders, and supporters over the past several years. At the core is RAMA Estudio, led by Carolina Rodas, Felipe Donoso, and Carla Chávez, who have coordinated the project’s vision and execution. Their experience in social and community-based processes has allowed them to address challenges on the ground and take small but steady steps toward the project's long-term goals.

Key to the success of the initiative are the local community leaders, including Gladys Intriago, Carlos Cotera, Ismael Cotera, and Sra. Nancy Suarez, whose commitment has been vital in mobilizing and organizing neighbors to participate actively in the project’s development.

On the construction side, the project relies on the expertise of Cristian Saldarriaga, a skilled local builder who has led works of varying scales with professionalism and care, helping to elevate traditional techniques in bamboo and toquilla straw.

The project has also gained the support of external allies such as Santiago Jijón, Mónica Vorbek, and Juan Echeverría—individuals not from the island, but deeply committed to its conservation. Their professional networks and fields of expertise have helped channel resources, visibility, and new opportunities.

This collective effort continues to grow thanks to strong community participation and contributions from institutions, artists, and technical partners.
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