Final Hours for Ecuadorians to Vote on National Museum Design

Ecuadorians have a limited window to cast their vote for the new design of the National Museum of Ecuador, with the platform closing on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 8 PM. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport extended the deadline from 6 PM after resolving technical issues on the voting system. This public participation is a crucial component, representing 15% of the final project qualification, while a technical jury's evaluation constitutes the remaining 85%.

The voting process is designed to be straightforward, requiring only an identity card number. Interested citizens can visit www.viviendaydesarrollourbano.gob.ec to review the three finalist architectural proposals, examine the teams' experience, and compare design concepts. After identification, votes are registered, and participants can optionally share opinions on urban elements like green spaces and public plazas.

This citizen involvement stems from a previous controversy where the government rejected the initially selected design, sparking public debate and questioning the process's legitimacy. To prevent a recurrence, the government introduced this democratic element, allowing citizens to directly influence the final decision. Roberto Luque, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, emphasized the importance of this inclusive approach.

An international jury, comprising architects Mathieu de Genot, Christian Wiese, and Lu Junliang, along with museography specialist Fernanda Ponce, selected the three finalists from ten pre-qualified teams. The competing consortia are B70 720 Arquitectura, LERA Sanaa, and A0-CPA-JHS Mario Cucinella Architects. The technical evaluation's transparency was certified by a notary in Quito.