Kia has received the Good Design® Award 2024 from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design for its E-Ground facility in Quito, Ecuador. The 1,400 m² experience center represents the automaker’s first Sustainable Mobility Experience Center in Latin America, designed to advance electromobility adoption across Central and South America.
Highlights
- Kia E-Ground is a 1,400 m² experiential hub in Quito, Ecuador, featuring three interactive zones focused on environmental awareness, energy technology, and electric vehicles
- Sustainable construction materials include Eco Bricks with 25% lower CO₂ emissions and ECOPact concrete reducing emissions by up to 50%
- The Good Design® Award, established in 1950, recognizes design excellence in aesthetics, functionality, and environmental responsibility
- Strategic positioning near major universities enables educational programming for future sustainability professionals
E-Ground Design and Experience Zones
The center’s architectural concept draws from the Fibonacci sequence, guiding visitors through three distinct zones:
- Planet Zone – Environmental awareness and ecosystem balance education
- Energy Zone – Electrification and energy-efficiency technology demonstrations
- Mobility Zone – Kia electric vehicles and Purpose-Built Vehicles (PBVs)
A sculptural white tree with circular LED lighting serves as the facility’s centerpiece, representing the connection between innovation and environmental stewardship. The design reflects Kia’s “Opposites United” philosophy, integrating natural elements with technology.
Sustainable Building Features
Kia incorporated multiple sustainability measures into the facility’s construction and operations:
- Eco Bricks – Building materials with 25% lower CO₂ emissions
- ECOPact concrete – Reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 50%
- Pavegen kinetic tiles – Generate clean energy from visitor footsteps
- Energy systems – LED lighting, solar panels, and rainwater reuse infrastructure
Regional Education Strategy
The facility’s proximity to major universities supports Kia’s regional development objectives. E-Ground hosts workshops and interactive programs targeting future sustainability professionals and engineers.
“This project reflects Kia’s vision of sustainable mobility and our commitment to creating meaningful experiences for communities in Latin America,” said Fiorella Farje, Head of Marketing, Kia Central and South America.
Steve Lee, President of Kia Central and South America, noted the facility “will help shape the future of transportation in Latin America.”
Additional information on Kia’s sustainability initiatives is available at worldwide.kia.com/int/sustainability.
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