Total area
Approx. 6,500–8,000 m²
(~70,000–86,000 sq ft)
Program Distribution (Estimated)
Ground-floor retail + services: ~3,000–3,500 m²
Second-floor commercial + offices: ~2,500–3,000 m²
Circulation + terraces + common areas: ~1,000–1,200 m²
Parking & exterior urban plaza: integrated open-air configuration
Client
Private Developer
Service
Commercial Architecture · Mixed-Use Design · BIM Development
SM1 Commercial Plaza is a contemporary retail and office complex located in Santa Marta, Colombia. Designed in 2020 for a private developer, the project responds to the region’s growing demand for modern
commercial environments that blend convenience, elegance, and tropical urban identity .
The architectural language is defined by clean horizontal volumes, dark metallic cladding, and generous glazing that creates transparency between indoor activity and the exterior plaza. Vertical fins and structural
elements articulate rhythm and shade, enhancing the building’s performance in Santa Marta’s warm coastal climate.
The plaza is conceived as an open-air social hub, offering ground-floor retail, dining areas, boutique stores, and service spaces. The upper level accommodates flexible commercial units and office programs with
balconies and views toward surrounding palm gardens and the urban foreground.
A central vehicular loop, integrated pedestrian paths, and landscape elements create a fluid, welcoming environment for visitors. In the evening, the project transforms through architectural lighting that highlights the
façade’s geometry and activates the commercial atmosphere.
The conceptual process began with an urban analysis of the site’s potential as a local commercial anchor. DR22 established a circulation strategy that prioritizes accessibility, clear retail frontage, and comfortable
shading.
Through BIM implementation, every façade module, structural bay, and commercial unit was coordinated with high precision, ensuring adaptable layouts for future tenants. Material selection focused on durability and
thermal performance: high-performance glass, aluminum composites, and tropical landscaping that reduces heat and glare.
The result is a commercial plaza that merges contemporary architecture with the coastal character of Santa Marta, creating a vibrant and flexible commercial destination.
