Centro de Interacción Cultural y Comercio Artesanal para la parroquia San Juan de Ilumán

Abstract

The parish of San Juan de Ilumán in the canton of Otavalo in the province of Imbabura is characterized by its craft and ancestral attractions. Among the main activities in the sector is the manufacture of handicrafts, which is one of the main sources of income for its population, an activity that originated in the early twentieth century, although, according to the historical trajectory of the founding of the town, craft activities had greater relevance, however, over time, it is found that there is greater emphasis on ancestral medicine, predominantly this activity that is of a socio-cultural character. Ilumán has a lot of potential in the handicraft and ancestral medicine aspects, however, it is going through a strong problem, because the population has turned public spaces into points to promote informal sales, generating an urban disorganization, an aspect that requires an intervention to promote the centralization of informal commerce in the parish. With the study conducted, we proceed to generate two main approaches, one is focused on the cultural part, mainly on ancestral medicine, with its manifestations in the Andean cosmovision, and the other is based on the textile craft trade, constituting a practice that has transcended time and generation. This study proposes the design of a Center for Cultural Interaction and Craft Trade for the parish of San Juan de Ilumán, in order to project, promote, disseminate and centralize both the activities of informal trade, as well as the activities of ancestral medicine which is based on the interaction of the Yachak or shamans. The two identified approaches, when integrated, will generate a complementarity between the appropriate equipment and the artisan commercial axis and will be the basis for the organization plan of these activities. In this project, qualitative and quantitative research was developed in a related way, with the purpose of linking and improving the quality of life of the inhabitants, and it was also based on the multipurpose architectural systematization, which is in accordance with its natural context.