A recent trip to Bogota, Colombia, for the Expo Construcción y Diseño trade show, courtesy of USDA Foreign Agriculture Services funding, allowed the Southern Forest Products Association to promote the use of Southern Pine lumber in the country.
While the trade show was the catalyst to visit the region, allowing representatives to have productive conversations with builders, architects, engineers, and importers (distributors and design-professionals working on specific projects looking for Southern Pine (treated and untreated) in various sizes, trade servicing and visits to completed and nearly completed large projects using Southern Pine lumber was the main benefit.
Villa de San Pablo
Villa de San Pablo is a community-driven initiative in Barranquilla, born from the collaboration between ETH Zürich and Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB), with the support of SECO Switzerland, the Mario Santo Domingo Foundation, and the Barranquilla City Government.
Located in a low-income neighborhood, the project is recognized for its sustainable design and social impact. Architect Serrano Gómez S.A. oversaw the design, manufacturing, and installation of the Southern Pine roof structure, using treated Southern Pine glue-laminated timbers to support the 31,215-square-foot project.
The facility’s bioclimatic design incorporates a green corridor and creates welcoming educational and cultural spaces for the community. Set to become the cultural hub of southwest Barranquilla, it will host a multidisciplinary center for community use. The treated Southern Pine roof not only lends the building a warm and distinctive character but also ensures decades of durability with minimal maintenance.
A key feature of the design is its use of the chimney effect for passive ventilation — allowing hot air to rise and escape while cooler air flows in naturally. This approach eliminates the need for air conditioning, enhancing energy efficiency and supporting sustainable, daily community activities.
Mallorquín Swamp Ecopark
The Mallorquín Swamp Ecopark, a unique natural ecosystem in Barranquilla, is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, including both resident and migratory bird species.
This one-of-a-kind project in Latin America was built entirely with treated U.S. Southern Pine lumber, a choice that not only provides a distinct visual identity but also enhances its harmony with the surrounding environment. The project serves as a model for other coastal cities, showcasing the durability, beauty, and environmental benefits of Southern Pine lumber.
Sustainability is at the heart of the park’s architectural design. By using U.S. Southern Pine as the primary building material, the project minimizes environmental impact while allowing wildlife to move freely through the area.
Located at the mouth of the Magdalena River — Colombia’s most important waterway — where it meets the Caribbean Sea, the Ecopark lies within a protected mangrove zone. Construction was carefully planned so that no mangrove trees were cut, with the remaining 10% of the site built on previously disturbed areas, such as old fishing paths and deforested patches.
Southern Pine was used extensively for both structural and finishing purposes, particularly in areas built over water.
The Ecopark is divided into four functional zones, each with unique features. The first two zones — the Contemplation District and the Family District — offer a range of outdoor activities such as yoga, water sports, and running. A signature element of the first phase is a 2.8-mile elevated wooden walkway, designed to give visitors access to the park while minimizing disruption to the ecosystem.
Additional features include a bio-museum, environmental education spaces, and community-based tourism programs. The park’s design philosophy focuses on preserving the endangered ecosystem through conscious, inclusive use rather than strict limitation. It acts as a buffer between the city and the swamp while serving as a vibrant gathering space for cultural exchange, recreation, and environmental awareness.
Projects Throughout Cartagena
Given Cartagena’s coastal, tropical climate, Southern Pine lumber is becoming an increasingly popular choice thanks to its resistance to humidity, salinity, and other challenging environmental conditions. From tourist areas to residential developments, treated Southern Pine is being used in a range of applications.
Local lumber distributors note that the success of projects such as the Mallorquín Ecopark in Barranquilla and an ecohotel near Cartagena — where Southern Pine was critical in preventing termite damage and supporting heavy structural loads — has inspired other coastal cities to explore similar sustainable, wood-based developments.
Since the opening of the Cieneguilla Ecopark, interest in Southern Pine has expanded to cities like Cartagena, particularly for decking. Architects and engineers are increasingly recognizing its durability, strength, and suitability for tropical climates. While many projects in the area are still under construction, in nearly all observed cases, treated Southern Pine has been the preferred choice for decks.
One notable upcoming development is a high-end residential community that will feature new homes and apartments with decking areas and private dock ports — further cementing Southern Pine’s role in coastal construction. In Cartagena, its most common uses include pergolas, trusses, roof framing, and decking.
Elsewhere, in Santa Marta, an ecopark located in a forested area is applying similar design principles. Together, these projects showcase how Southern Pine lumber can support sustainable, resilient, and environmentally integrated architecture in Colombia’s coastal cities.
