A--D -- Olón Yaku Forest School

image: David Peralta |

Location:
Olón, Ecuador

Category:
education

Phase:
construction preparation

Updated:
7 July 2025

In a region threatened by deforestation and inequality, the Forest School is a space where children learn by living with nature. Built with local materials and community hands, it restores ecosystems, empowers people, and inspires new ways of living sustainably. It’s not just a school — it’s a seed of hope for a thriving, resilient future.

Introduction

The Forest School emerged in response to the alarming deforestation and growing agricultural exploitation in the coastal region of Olón, Ecuador. Originally planned as a real estate development, the landowners chose instead to preserve the forest and create a space where education, conservation, and community empowerment could converge. Olón faces deep social challenges: over 50% of children lack access to quality education, 76% of adults work in informal jobs, and only 27% of homes are considered adequate. In this fragile socio-ecological context, the project reimagines the role of architecture — not as an isolated building, but as a tool for environmental regeneration and social transformation. Rooted in the traditions of local construction and guided by regenerative planning principles, the initiative integrates universities, local organizations, and the community itself through participatory workshops. The Forest School becomes a response to urgent needs — environmental collapse, educational inequality, and cultural erosion — proposing an alternative: learning through nature, building with dignity, and living in harmony with the forest.

Introduction

image: David Peralta |

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Impact

The Forest School strengthens the long-term development capacity of the Olón community through education, environmental restoration, and economic empowerment. Educationally, it provides access to quality, hands-on learning for children who previously had limited opportunities — addressing the fact that over 50% of local youth lack adequate schooling. Through workshops in bioconstruction, permaculture, and water management, adults gain skills that enhance self-sufficiency and resilience.
Quantitatively, the project expects to reach over 200 children annually and train at least 100 adults in sustainable practices. It will generate local employment through the use of community labor and materials, and reduce dependence on external resources through energy, water, and food self-sufficiency strategies (e.g., solar panels, biodigesters, agroecological gardens).
Qualitatively, the project restores cultural identity through traditional construction methods, strengthens social cohesion through participatory processes, and regenerates 10+ hectares of forest with native species, creating biodiversity corridors and carbon sinks. The Forest School becomes a living classroom that empowers future generations to protect their environment and shape a more equitable future — offering not just infrastructure, but inspiration.

Core team

The Forest School began with a simple goal: to protect a forest in Olón, Ecuador from real estate development and transform it into a place for learning and regeneration. Project promoters Carlos Andrade and Ricardo Reto started the vision and were soon joined by three young architects— Patricio Moscoso, Irene Cárdenas, and Samantha Arce—who led the first site analysis and master plan. Ricardo,, having lived in the area, offered key social insights, while local biologist Camila Silva mapped out the flora and fauna dynamics. Diego Ureña later joined to synthesize and visualize the research. The team shared the vision with professors Juan Carlos Bamba and Enrique Mora, who brought the project into the academic realm. Karolina Elizalde, Débora Strenge, and David Peralta became passionate collaborators, many developing thesis projects around it. Today, our team blends expertise in bioclimatic design (Ph.D Juan Carlos Bamba), concept and design development (M.A Enrique Mora), urban anthropology (M.A, MSc Irene Cárdenas), BIM and cost management (Arch. Patricio Moscoso), landscape-sensitive design (Arch. Samantha Arce), visual communication (Arch. Diego Ureña), green building and circularity (M.A Débora Strenge), architectural documentation (Arch. Karolin Elizalde), community engagement and visual illustrations (M.Sc David Peralta), and renewable energy and efficiency (Eng. Ana Fabiola Araujo). Together, we are building more than a school—we are building a model for social, ecological, and educational resilience rooted in place and people.

Core Team

image: Diego Ureña |

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Image gallery

Goals and findings

image: Debora Strenge |

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Community

image: David Peralta, Debora Strenge |

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Cover Image

image: David Peralta |

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View 1

image: Karolin Elizalde, Diego Ureña |

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View 2

image: Karolin Elizalde, Diego Ureña |

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View 3

image: Karolin Elizalde, Diego Ureña |

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View 4

image: Karolin Elizalde, Diego Ureña |

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View 5

image: Karolin Elizalde, Diego Ureña |

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View 6

image: Karolin Elizalde, Diego Ureña |

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Section Render

image: Karolin Elizalde, Diego Ureña |

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Technical drawings

Site Plan

image: Debora Strenge |

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Typical Floor Plan

image: Debora Strenge |

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Impact Section

image: Debora Strenge |

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Tropical Earthship

image: David Peralta, Debora Strenge |

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Ecohub

image: David Peralta, Debora Strenge |

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Tree House

image: David Peralta, Debora Strenge |

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Sustainability

image: Debora Strenge |

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7 July 2025

Biodiversity Monitoring in Olón Yaku: Key Species Observed

Thanks to the BioJempe Foundation, which is providing the baseline for environmental impact assessment, we have initiated constant biological monitoring of the Forest School area. During the first fieldwork (June 21–24, 2025), a wide range of species were identified, reinforcing the ecological value of this coastal forest remnant.

Mammals
Mantled Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata)
A charismatic flagship species for conservation, these monkeys were sighted in small troops. Their presence indicates a relatively healthy forest canopy.
Tayra (Eira barbara)
A carnivorous mammal from the mustelid family, known for its role as both predator and seed disperser.
Guayaquil Squirrel (Sciurus stramineus)
Common in tropical dry forests; plays an important role in seed dispersion.
Agouti (Dasyprocta sp.)
A shy forest-dwelling rodent that helps regenerate forest ecosystems by burying seeds.

Bats
23 individuals from 8 species were captured using mist nets, including:

Artibeus fraterculus (frugivorous bat)
Desmodus rotundus (vampire bat)
Sturnira luisi, Carollia perspicillata, and others
These species reflect a rich trophic diversity (fruit-eating, nectar-feeding, insectivorous, and hematophagous).

Birds
Over 80 species of birds were observed, many from the Tumbesian region—a biodiversity hotspot.
Notable species include:

Gray-breasted Flycatcher (Lathrotriccus griseipectus), a bird with limited distribution and high conservation interest.
Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata), a striking nocturnal species.

Reptiles
Vine Snake (Oxybelis transandinus)
A non-venomous, slender tree-dwelling species ideal for educational activities.
Blue-tailed Lizard (Holcosus sp.)
Common in the underbrush, plays a role in insect control.

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11 June 2025

No Building Yet, But Plenty of Exploring! ????????

Our project is already in motion—in the forest, with curious kids, and with the kind of learning that can’t be contained by walls.

We’ve begun leading activities like nature walks, forest exploration, and outdoor play, making the most of our greatest resource: the land itself. These moments are helping us shape the future of our space, grounded in real experiences and guided by the wonder of the children involved.

Even as we prepare for the next phases of development, these early adventures remind us what really matters: connection, discovery, and growth. The forest has become our starting point—and what a rich beginning it is.

We’re excited to keep building this vision, both through physical space and meaningful moments in nature.

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Where are we now

To date, the project has carried out participatory design workshops with local communities and academic partners including UCSG, ESPOL, and UCuenca, alongside Fundación La Noble Guadúa, Conservación Marina Ecuador, and Fundación La Iguana.
The team includes architects, environmental specialists, educators, local builders, and biodiversity and sustainable development NGO's.
The site is secured and partially reforested. Financial backing from the landowning promoters and foundations supports infrastructure and long-term sustainability through ecotourism, education, and regenerative land use. The potencial co-financers are New love S.A and Pachamama Foundation.

An indication of our team’s capacity:

35% funding already raised

70% expertise already found

30% materials / equipment already found

80% builders already found

Finance: € 53,758

The Forest School begins with the tropical earthship—its education module, seed, and first phase—built with local materials and local hands. The Forest School will provide over 120 children with access to nature-based learning, while generating jobs, training builders in sustainable techniques, and restoring a threatened ecosystem. As a living lab, it integrates clean energy, water reuse, food sovereignty, and environmental awareness. The project merges architecture, education, and community to show how small-scale actions can spark deep, lasting change. Future phases include the ecohub and tree houses.

Education module - Materials	22,000
Education module - Labor	18,000
Education module - Transport	3,500
Education module - Equipment	2,000
Education module - Admin	4,000
Education module - Contingency	4,258

Skills: PR & Marketing, Financial advice

We seek financial advice to strengthen the Forest School’s long-term model. A sustainable finance or social enterprise expert can help structure mixed funding strategies—grants, earned income, and impact investment—for financial resilience and replicability.
We also need PR and marketing support to share the project’s story through compelling narratives, social media, and outreach. This will boost visibility, attract allies, and position the Forest School as a replicable model of regenerative education.
Advisors will support a project with real impact—linking architecture, biodiversity, and community empowerment—while gaining global exposure through meaningful partnerships.

Stuff: Equipment & tools

We require tools for on-site fabrication and training: carpentry sets, earth compaction tools, manual and electric saws, scaffolding, protective gear, and rainwater harvesting kits. These resources will support local builders, reduce costs, and accelerate hands-on workshops with the community. solar panels, and water treatment systems will also come in handy.

Hands

We are seeking volunteer builders students, professionals, or experienced craftspeople—interested in sustainable construction, bioclimatic design, or natural materials. Volunteers will support the building of bamboo and earth modules alongside local artisans, learning traditional and low-tech techniques while contributing to a meaningful cause. This hands-on exchange fosters knowledge transfer, cultural immersion, and community empowerment. Volunteers gain real experience in regenerative architecture, while helping create safe, inspiring spaces for children and preserving a forest under threat.