Esteban J. Najas Raad
AIA International Region Country Representative - Ecuador
Architect | Founder & Principal, Najas Arquitectos
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Esteban Najas Raad is an Ecuadorian architect with over 22 years of professional experience in architectural design, construction, and urban development. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Universidad San Francisco de Quito and pursued architectural studies at the University of Oregon. In 2006, he founded Najas Arquitectos, a Quito-based practice specializing in residential, mixed-use, civic, and urban-scale projects.
His architectural work has earned numerous national and international distinctions, beginning with the Gold Medal at the XIV Pan-American Architecture Biennial of Quito (2004) for his urban design project Plaza de la República. His firm's award-winning portfolio includes Vivalto, recognized at the International Property Awards in London (2017), and Attiva, recipient of international design awards in Japan and Spain (2025). Najas Arquitectos was also ranked among Ecuador's leading architectural firms by Architizer in 2024 and 2025. His work has been featured in architectural magazines and books internationally.
Beyond architectural practice, Najas is actively engaged in professional leadership and public discourse. He serves on the Tribunal of Honor of the Colegio de Arquitectos de Pichincha and is a columnist for Primicias, a leading Ecuadorian news outlet. He founded Quito Caso a Caso, a weekly platform for critical discussion of urban planning, public policy, and city governance, and co-produces Ladrillazo, a radio and digital series focused on architecture and urban issues.
His work reflects a commitment to architectural excellence, civic responsibility, and the relationship between design, institutions, and urban life. As AIA International Country Representative for Ecuador, he aims to strengthen professional exchange, encourage international collaboration, and contribute to a broader dialogue about the future of architecture and cities.
