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NEWS
Bjarke Ingels describes BIG’s first project in South America as an 'urban tree farm'
POSTED 17 Oct 2018 . BY Andrew Manns
The IQON will have a public plaza and retail space at its base Credit: Courtesy of BIG

Credit: Paul McLaughlin/Cybertrek
We're creating a vertical community by planting native trees and plants on the terraces and letting Parque La Carolina climb up and into the building
– Bjarke Ingels
Bjarke Ingels has announced his firm's first project in South America.

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) have designed The IQON in Quito, Ecuador – set to be the tallest structure in the city when completed.

The residential tower will overlook the expansive Parque La Carolina and have terraced gardens, with planting echoing that of the park.

Ingels said BIG is creating a vertical community, by planting native trees and plants on the terraces.

"We are letting Parque La Carolina climb up and into the building," he explained.

The park has been a focal point of cultural events and sporting activities since its renovation in the 1940s.

The 33-storey, 35,000 sq m building will be constructed of modular concrete boxes and will feature a number of leisure amenities, including a rooftop pool with panoramic views of the city.
The building's cascading terraces will be planted with local flora from the adjacent Carolina Park Credit: Courtesy of BIG
The IQON will have a rooftop pool and relaxation areas Credit: Courtesy of BIG
MORE NEWS
Brain plasticity could be improved by manipulating the gut microbiome
Manipulating the gut microbiome could become a powerful tool for preserving brain health and resilience as people age, according to research led by Professor Paola Tognini, a neuroscientist at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy.
Jessica Sloyan establishes UK Academy of Sound and Therapeutic Arts
Jessica Sloyan, a wellness operations and training expert, has established an independent private training academy to provide professional qualifications for practitioners looking to offer immersive wellness experiences.
ISPA releases full 2026 US Spa Industry Study as annual industry revenue rises by US$1bn
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has published its full 2026 US Spa Industry Study, providing further insights into the region’s total US$1 billion (€855 million, £780 million) industry revenue increase from 2024 to 2025.
Hot spring wellness community Ameyalli sells residences and breaks ground on resort and spa
Ameyalli, the 78-acre wellbeing resort and residential community in Midway in Utah, US, has broken ground on phase two of the hot spring development – the Ameyalli Resort and Spa – which is due to open in 2028.
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23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

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31 Aug - 02 Sep 2026

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©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Bjarke Ingels describes BIG’s first project in South America as an 'urban tree farm'
POSTED 17 Oct 2018 . BY Andrew Manns
The IQON will have a public plaza and retail space at its base Credit: Courtesy of BIG
Credit: Paul McLaughlin/Cybertrek
We're creating a vertical community by planting native trees and plants on the terraces and letting Parque La Carolina climb up and into the building
– Bjarke Ingels
Bjarke Ingels has announced his firm's first project in South America.

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) have designed The IQON in Quito, Ecuador – set to be the tallest structure in the city when completed.

The residential tower will overlook the expansive Parque La Carolina and have terraced gardens, with planting echoing that of the park.

Ingels said BIG is creating a vertical community, by planting native trees and plants on the terraces.

"We are letting Parque La Carolina climb up and into the building," he explained.

The park has been a focal point of cultural events and sporting activities since its renovation in the 1940s.

The 33-storey, 35,000 sq m building will be constructed of modular concrete boxes and will feature a number of leisure amenities, including a rooftop pool with panoramic views of the city.
The building's cascading terraces will be planted with local flora from the adjacent Carolina Park Credit: Courtesy of BIG
The IQON will have a rooftop pool and relaxation areas Credit: Courtesy of BIG
MORE NEWS
Brain plasticity could be improved by manipulating the gut microbiome
Manipulating the gut microbiome could become a powerful tool for preserving brain health and resilience as people age, according to research led by Professor Paola Tognini, a neuroscientist at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy.
Jessica Sloyan establishes UK Academy of Sound and Therapeutic Arts
Jessica Sloyan, a wellness operations and training expert, has established an independent private training academy to provide professional qualifications for practitioners looking to offer immersive wellness experiences.
ISPA releases full 2026 US Spa Industry Study as annual industry revenue rises by US$1bn
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has published its full 2026 US Spa Industry Study, providing further insights into the region’s total US$1 billion (€855 million, £780 million) industry revenue increase from 2024 to 2025.
Hot spring wellness community Ameyalli sells residences and breaks ground on resort and spa
Ameyalli, the 78-acre wellbeing resort and residential community in Midway in Utah, US, has broken ground on phase two of the hot spring development – the Ameyalli Resort and Spa – which is due to open in 2028.
AI firm Midjourney enters wellness with spa, fitness and body scanning concept
TLee Spas and Wellness has revealed the design concept for a high-tech spa with body mapping scanners to improve public health, for AI company Midjourney.
Swissline opens renovated urban wellness destination Labo Spa in Zurich
Swissline has opened a flagship day spa in Zurich, Switzerland, called Labo Spa.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

HPO Tech brings design-led hyperbaric systems to the spa floor
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has moved well beyond the clinic and spa operators represent the fastest-growing market for the technology. [more...]

Elemis launches its first Red Light Mask, lighting the way to advanced skin health and restoration
Elemis has branched into LED skincare with the launch of its breakthrough Red Light Mask. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Wellhub

Wellhub (formerly Gympass) is the world’s leading corporate wellness platform, trusted by 70,000+ [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
31 Aug - 02 Sep 2026

SpaTec North America

Pier Sixty Six, Fort Lauderdale, United States
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS