Abitare la ruralità contemporanea nel Global South

This paper aims to provide an interpretation of the indefinite condition of contemporary rurality in Global South through the analysis of domestic architecture and its alterations. The study is specifically addressed to the Andean context of the province of Loja in Ecuador. The house has been chosen as the object of analysis as it embodies the manifestation of the different dynamics of the production of space in rural contexts, often conflictual, evading a unified definition. Starting from a brief review of the approaches, frequently dichotomous, through which the architectural discipline has faced the relationship with what is not urban, and relying on a further study of the spatial practices characterizing this frontier land, the intention is to bring to light some crucial issues for the design of the rural habitat. The ultimate purpose of this reflection is therefore far from providing scientific answers, on the contrary it aims to embrace and accept the variety of forms presented by the Ecuadorian rural context, in order to develop open questions, that allow professionals to experience the different facets of the project.