20 Best Architecture and Design Firms in Colombia

These annual rankings were last updated on December 20, 2024. Want to see your firm on next year’s list? Continue reading for more on how you can improve your studio’s ranking.

Being a country that is famous for its ancient origins, and which is believed to be the place where the legendary city of El Dorado was located, Colombia’s architectural story is deeply rooted in its pre-Columbian civilizations. Its modern architectural fabric however, has been greatly shaped by architects like modernist Rogelio Salmona and avant-gardist Giancarlo Mazzanti. Operating in an increasingly open society, Salmona’s Torres del Parque in Bogotá redefines how brick and concrete create spaces that seamlessly blend with the city’s natural landscape and invent new ways of building residential architecture.

Today, Colombian architects continue to embrace sustainability, cutting-edge technology and cultural context in their designs. One remarkable example is the Metrocable system in Medellín, a transportation structure that addresses the difficult topography of the region without spoiling the city’s natural landscape. This infrastructure project generated global recognition for its transformative impact on public spaces and social dynamics and acts as a testament to the forward-thinking vision of contemporary Colombian architecture.

With so many architecture firms to choose from, it’s challenging for clients to identify the industry leaders that will be an ideal fit for their project needs. Fortunately, Architizer is able to provide guidance on the top design firms in Colombia based on more than a decade of data and industry knowledge.

How are these architecture firms ranked?

The following ranking has been created according to key statistics that demonstrate each firm’s level of architectural excellence. The following metrics have been accumulated to establish each architecture firm’s ranking, in order of priority:

• The number of A+Awards won (2013 to 2024)
• The number of A+Awards finalists (2013 to 2024)
• The number of projects selected as “Project of the Day” (2009 to 2024)
• The number of projects selected as “Featured Project” (2009 to 2024)
• The number of projects uploaded to Architizer (2009 to 2024)

Each of these metrics is explained in more detail at the foot of this article. This ranking list will be updated annually, taking into account new achievements of Colombia architecture firms throughout the year.

Without further ado, here are the 20 best architecture firms in Colombia:

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20. Ruta4 Arquitectura

Ruta4 Arquitectura is an architectural practice in Pereira, with projects mainly focusing on residential architecture.

Some of Ruta4 Arquitectura’s most prominent projects include:

• Casa Ensamble Chacarra, Pereira, Colombia

The following statistics helped Ruta4 Arquitectura achieve 20th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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19. Sergio Reyes Rodríguez Arquitecto

Sergio Reyes Rodrguez Arquitecto is an architectural practice in Bogota. The firm’s projects are mainly centered around residential architecture.

Some of Sergio Reyes Rodríguez Arquitecto’s most prominent projects include:

• Casa 40, La Calera, Colombia

The following statistics helped Sergio Reyes Rodríguez Arquitecto achieve 19th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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18. TAP Taller Piloto Arquitectos

The workshop is an open and collective space, where we seek the encounter, the influence and even the conflict of multiple disciplines that allow an architecture with the capacity of transforming life.

Some of TAP Taller Piloto Arquitectos’ most prominent projects include:

• Raíces Educational Park, El Peñol, Colombia

The following statistics helped TAP Taller Piloto Arquitectos achieve 18th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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17. Arquitectura Plus

We are a passionate collective in design and construction, with a different conception of living spaces. We have fun every time we work together, managing to capture that Manifest Memory in each commission for our clients and friends in different areas such as residential, commercial, corporate, institutional, retail and interior design.

Some of Arquitectura Plus’ most prominent projects include:

• Casa Tribu, Bogotá, Colombia
• Caffa Bistro Coffee Shop, Bogotá, Colombia

The following statistics helped Arquitectura Plus achieve 17th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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16. Vicaria Arquitectura

We are a company specialized in architectural and space design. We are moved by the strength to do things right, with high value in design, ethics, commitment to our values, our people and our environment. We dream of a new form of architecture based on the art and challenges of humanity. We are global, avant-garde, versatile, daring and memorable.

Some of Vicaria Arquitectura’s most prominent projects include:

• CASA PIANO, Rionegro, Colombia
• BIKE HOUSE, Medellín, Colombia

The following statistics helped Vicaria Arquitectura achieve 16th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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15. Darp, de Arquitectura y Paisaje

DARP. De Arquitectura y Paisaje, is a studio based in Colombia. The work of DARP explores the field between landscape and architecture, seeks to generate in each project a social and cultural development in relationship with territory, looking for a practical, creative and sustainable answers. Founded in 2012 for MArch Landscape, Jorge Emilio Buitrago and Arch. Jaime Eduardo Cabal Mejía, formed an interdisciplinary team with professionals from different areas which make possible to offer integral answers, guided to the contribution in the society, the culture and the life quality.

Some of Darp, de Arquitectura y Paisaje’s most prominent projects include:

• THE EDUCATIONAL PARK FOR RECONCILIATION, Colombia
• EDUCATIONAL PARK OF KNOWLEDGE, Colombia
• TROPICARIO, Colombia

The following statistics helped Darp, de Arquitectura y Paisaje achieve 15th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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14. Simon Velez : GIGAGRASS

Simon Velez is a prize winning architect from Colombia, most famous for his innovative use of bamboo as an essential building component. He is the winner of the Principal Prince Claus Award 2009.

Some of Simon Velez : GIGAGRASS’ most prominent projects include:

• The Nomadic Museum, Mexico City, Mexico
• ZERI Pavilion – Expo Hannover, Hanover, Germany
• Crosswaters Ecolodge, Huizhou, China
• Private Residence, Colombia

The following statistics helped Simon Velez : GIGAGRASS achieve 14th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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13. Alsar Atelier

Alsar Atelier is a post-pandemic architecture and design studio based in Bogotá, Colombia. The practice focuses on investigating the low-cost aesthetics resultant of the constant state of emergency in Latin America & the global south. So far, the studio has engaged with projects within the private and public realm that explore concepts of sustainable materialities, ephemerality, user adaptability and low cost tectonics.

​The practice is led by Alejandro Saldarriaga, former co-founder of colab-19, which has been long-listed in the “Royal Academy Dorfman Awards” in the category of emerging architect and was featured as Emerging Talent in Metropolis magazine 2020 Jul-Aug Edition. In 2020 he received the Golden prize in the “Design that Educates Awards” under the category of Responsive Architecture.

Some of Alsar Atelier’s most prominent projects include:

• Growing Shade , Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Wasteland Pavillion , Bogotá, Colombia
• Invisible Architecture for the Unheard Voices of the Public Realm, Bogotá, Colombia
• A Community Built Fog Catcher , Bogotá, Colombia
• A Pavillion for All

The following statistics helped Alsar Atelier achieve 13th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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12. La Rotta Arquitectos

La Rotta Arquitectos is an architectural practice in Bogota, with projects mainly focusing on educational architecture.

Some of La Rotta Arquitectos’ most prominent projects include:

• Pontificia Universidad Javeriana School of Arts, Bogotá, Colombia
• Biblioteca La Quintana – Tomas Carrasquilla, Medellin, Colombia

The following statistics helped La Rotta Arquitectos achieve 12th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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11. aRE – Arquitectura en Estudio

We are a professional architecture and design firm based in Colombia. Creating exciting and inspiring spaces is our passion. Don’t hesitate to drop us a line. We would be glad to discuss your next project. We’ve had experiences developing architecture and interiors projects both locally and internationally. Our work ranges from large urban interventions to institutional buildings, residential projects, houses and interior design.

Some of aRE – Arquitectura en Estudio’s most prominent projects include:

• NAOS Business Campus, Bogotá, Colombia
• Casa 3 at Colinas de Payandé, Villeta, Colombia
• Casa 7A, Villeta, Colombia
• Casa 5, La Calera, Colombia
• Colegio El Nogal, Bogotá, Colombia

The following statistics helped aRE - Arquitectura en Estudio achieve 11th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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10. taller de arquitectura de bogotá

taller de arquitectura de bogot is an architectural practice in Bogota, with a variety of projects — from residential to commercial and office architecture.

Some of taller de arquitectura de bogotá’s most prominent projects include:

• 8111, Bogotá, Colombia

The following statistics helped taller de arquitectura de bogotá achieve 10th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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9. Velez Valencia Arquitectos

We are a team of architects focused on public solutions that add value to the interests of our clients. We are the mix of global experience with local knowledge.

Some of Velez Valencia Arquitectos’ most prominent projects include:

• Casa Condina, Pereira, Colombia
• The D.V. house, Pereira, Colombia
• Omnes Mall

The following statistics helped Velez Valencia Arquitectos achieve 9th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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8. DANIEL BONILLA ARQUITECTOS

Daniel Bonilla Architecture and Urbanism started formally in 1997 even though Daniel Bonilla had practiced architecture in several firms internationally. The practice is a very well known Design Studio, providing three basic services: urban, architecture and industrial design. This variety gives us a wide vision on design in every scale, from urban planning to the development of delicate industrial pieces.

Some of DANIEL BONILLA ARQUITECTOS’ most prominent projects include:

• LOS NOGALES SCHOOL CHAPEL, Bogotá, Colombia
• NOGALES CAFETERIA, Bogota, Colombia
• LOS NOGALES HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING, Bogotá, Colombia
• LOS NOGALES SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, Bogotá, Colombia
• LOS NOGALES SCHOOL ARTS CENTER, Bogotá, Colombia

The following statistics helped DANIEL BONILLA ARQUITECTOS achieve 8th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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7. Juan Pablo Ortiz Arquitectos

We are a team of professionals with 15 years of specific experience in the design of high quality buildings and institutional spaces, personally directed by Juan Pablo Ortiz, professor and researcher at the University of the Andes in Bogota. Juan Pablo Ortiz architects is a studio specialized in the integral development of unique buildings with a great communicative projection. Our experience based on the research and execution of projects in this field of architecture, has allowed us to understand the commitment that our professional work has in the material and cultural construction of society.

We believe that architecture is a service aimed at improving the daily life of the communities with which we work; understanding this service as the will to give additional values to simple construction. We are convinced that an architecture of excellence is built with ideas. Hence, our work stands out for the continuous search for fresh, proactive and innovative concepts and operational ideas, which allow us to project habitable, efficient, useful, durable, responsible spaces in the use of energy, beautiful and significant; all this within a framework of respect for local traditions and the natural landscape in which it is implanted. In addition, our buildings operate with a conscious and rational use of resources, which we understand as sacred. This way of exercising architecture becomes a sustainable construction in its social, economic and environmental facets.

Some of Juan Pablo Ortiz Arquitectos’ most prominent projects include:

• Engineering Laboratories | Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia

The following statistics helped Juan Pablo Ortiz Arquitectos achieve 7th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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6. Alejandro Restrepo Montoya Arquitectura

Alejandro Restrepo Montoya Arquitectura has developed urban and architectural projects in the recent context of urban transformation of Medellin and has received international and national awards in recognition of his architectural work.

Some of Alejandro Restrepo Montoya Arquitectura’s most prominent projects include:

• RV HOUSE, Medellín, Colombia
• UB House, Medellín, Colombia

The following statistics helped Alejandro Restrepo Montoya Arquitectura achieve 6th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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5. CONNATURAL

CONNATURAL (formerly known as Laboratorio de Arquitectura y Paisaje) is situated in Medellin, Colombia and founded by the architects Edgar Mazo and Sebastian Mejia in 2011. Through its investigative work the office tries to establish a constant and mutual dialogue between art, architecture and landscape. This dialogue becomes evident through interventions and operations of territory.

Some of CONNATURAL’s most prominent projects include:

• GARDEN HOUSE, Medellin, Colombia
• MEDELLÍN´S AQUATIC COMPLEX, Medellin, Colombia
• EDUCATIONAL PARK ENTRERRIOS, Entrerríos, Colombia
• ROW HOUSE, Medellin, Colombia
• POOL FOR A SCULPTOR, Medellin, Colombia

The following statistics helped CONNATURAL achieve 5th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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4. Taller Sintesis

Teller Sintesis is an office of architecture and urbanism founded in 2008 in Medellin, Colombia. The firm was a winner of National Award of Architecture in Colombia at the XXIV Biennale architecture, and a first mention in the Pan American International Architecture Biennale of Quito in 2014.

Some of Taller Sintesis’ most prominent projects include:

• EL PORVENIR CHILDREN CENTER, Rionegro, Colombia
• HOUSE OF MEMORY AND COMMUNITY SPACE, Turbo, Colombia
• 29 de Noviembre School Reconstruction, Nueva Colonia, Colombia
• RURAL CLASSROOMS IN MONTES DE MARIA, Ovejas, Sucre, Colombia

The following statistics helped Taller Sintesis achieve 4th place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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3. DEB

D.E.B. is an architecture studio committed to a thoughtful and inclusive approach to spatial design. Their work spans various scales and historical periods, allowing the proposal of practical solutions in urbanism and architecture, while maintaining a keen focus on interior and furniture design. Established in Barranquilla, Colombia, the studio draws inspiration from the city’s cultural richness, fostering an approach that connects people and places. From clients to communities, individuals are at the heart of their architectural philosophy. D.E.B.

Some of DEB’s most prominent projects include:

• Ecoparque: Ciénaga De Mallorquín, Barranquilla, Colombia
• KCP Student Center, Puerto Colombia, Colombia
• Masterplan Ciénaga de Mallorquín, Barranquilla, Colombia
• Luriza Forest Pathways, Vereda Luriza, Colombia
• El Diario Café, Barranquilla, Colombia

The following statistics helped DEB achieve 3rd place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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2. plan:b

plan:b is an architectural office that defines the work through a practice in which equal status is given to dialogue, drawing, travel, layout, construction, etc. and which are handled continuously, professional or academic situations, publication of books, college classes or construction of buildings. Plan:b trust in working collaborative, to make of it a statement on the architecture and understands the practice and the architectural project as open situations, interim agreements, not imposed phenomena embedded in eco-social networks, either local or worldwide.

Since 2000 to 2005, this working group was led by architects Felipe Mesa and Alejandro Bernal, from 2006 until 2010 was led by Felipe Mesa, and is currently led by Felipe Mesa in partnership with Federico Mesa. The plan:b work is generated primarily through participation
in architectural competitions, and collaborating with other professionals in those projects is constant and diverse.

Some of plan:b’s most prominent projects include:

• ParkUp, Taipei, Taiwan
• VG House, Rionegro, Colombia
• San Antonio de Prado Kindergarten
• CHAIRAMA SPA
• V House

The following statistics helped plan:b achieve 2nd place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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1. EL EQUIPO MAZZANTI

EL EQUIPO MAZZANTI is a Colombian design studio specializing in socially driven architectonic design and academic research. With over twenty-five years of experience, the studio has gained wide national and international recognition. The studio’s practice is characterized by open, collective and non-hierarchical working processes, which bring together architects, urban planners, sociologists, artists and other professionals. On-going questioning and discussion, as well as a motivation to transgress given limits, constitute part of the development of every project.

EQUIPO MAZZANTI believes architecture is one of the keys for the construction of a more competitive and sustainable society. The studio reaches out to contribute towards social transformation and well being, devising detailed contextual research, and involving local actors throughout its design processes. The studio produces innovative design based on the observation of day by day interactions, which hold unpredictable spatial and programmatic possibilities.

Some of EL EQUIPO MAZZANTI’s most prominent projects include:

• Top image: Expansion of Santa Fe de Bogotá Foundation, Bogota, Colombia
• Ecoparque: Ciénaga De Mallorquín, Barranquilla, Colombia
• Timayui Social Kindergarten, Santa Marta, Colombia
• CHAIRAMA SPA
• V House

The following statistics helped EL EQUIPO MAZZANTI achieve 1st place in the 20 Best Architecture Firms in Colombia:

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Why Should I Trust Architizer’s Ranking?

With more than 30,000 architecture firms and over 130,000 projects within its database, Architizer is proud to host the world’s largest online community of architects and building product manufacturers. Its celebrated A+Awards program is also the largest celebration of architecture and building products, with more than 400 jurors and hundreds of thousands of public votes helping to recognize the world’s best architecture each year.

Architizer also powers firm directories for a number of AIA (American Institute of Architects) Chapters nationwide, including the official directory of architecture firms for AIA New York.

A Guide to Project Awards

The blue “+” badge denotes that a project has won a prestigious A+Award as described above. Hovering over the badge reveals details of the award, including award category, year, and whether the project won the jury or popular choice award.

The orange Project of the Day and yellow Featured Project badges are awarded by Architizer’s Editorial team, and are selected based on a number of factors. The following factors increase a project’s likelihood of being featured or awarded Project of the Day status:

• Project completed within the last 3 years
• A well written, concise project description of at least 3 paragraphs
• Architectural design with a high level of both functional and aesthetic value
• High quality, in focus photographs
• At least 8 photographs of both the interior and exterior of the building
• Inclusion of architectural drawings and renderings
• Inclusion of construction photographs

There are 7 Projects of the Day each week and a further 31 Featured Projects. Each Project of the Day is published on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Stories, while each Featured Project is published on Facebook. Each Project of the Day also features in Architizer’s Weekly Projects Newsletter and shared with 170,000 subscribers.

 

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We’re constantly look for the world’s best architects to join our community. If you would like to understand more about this ranking list and learn how your firm can achieve a presence on it, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at editorial@architizer.com.