Cultural layers in the Heritage of Guayaquil.Case study “Casa Marín” in Las Peñas.

Abstract

This study examines the architectural transformations of Casa Marín, a historical building located in Las Peñas in Guayaquil. The objective is to identify its cultural layers, defined as the successive stages of change that the building undergoes to adapt to new lifestyles and functional uses. The research was conducted through three complementary phases: documentary, graphic and analytical, involving the collection of historical sources, architectural drawings, interviews and photographic documentation to reconstruct and model the building’s evolution. The finding reveals five documented stages, from its use as a multifamily residence to its current configuration as an art house, each of them reflecting the shifting economic, social and touristic demands that have influenced the neighborhood over the past century. The case study Casa Marín demonstrates how the property and its owner have a remarkable capacity to adapt, despite the limited institutional support from the local authority responsible for the heritage management.