The project team from FAMM Arquitectura conceived the Plaza Pochote commercial development, located in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. This project was designed to meet a predominantly linear development standard along the city's main road, while also considering the limitation of public spaces in a rapidly growing coastal setting.
Instead of integrating all functions into a single continuous commercial facade, the architecture opted to separate two constructed blocks, thereby creating an open plaza between them. This transition area became the main organizing element of the project.
With a total area of 998 m², the development occupies a 2,097 m² plot and accommodates seven commercial units, in addition to a bank branch, sanitary facilities, storage areas, and parking. The volumes were arranged respecting the existing vegetation and the natural slopes of the terrain, resulting in a series of tree-lined pedestrian paths connecting the shops to the central plaza.
At ground level, large openings ensure visual connection between internal environments and common outdoor areas. Additionally, a terrace located on the upper floor expands vertical public circulation and offers an observation point for the surrounding coastal landscape.
The spatial distribution establishes a clear separation between zones intended for the public and those with service characteristics. The shop facades open onto the plaza through extensive glazed surfaces, protected by wide roof eaves. On the other hand, support functions, such as offices, warehouses, kitchens, and bathrooms, are concentrated in the rear sections, in more enclosed volumes.
This configuration ensures that the perimeter facing the plaza remains dynamic and accessible, while providing greater privacy and isolation to internal operations. The selection of materials reinforces this differentiation: laminated wood structures the large roof planes and is visible throughout the project, creating a repetitive horizontal rhythm and offering shade to the facades and circulation areas.
The concrete bases and retaining elements were adapted to the local topography, while the service volumes are clad in stone, contrasting with the light wooden roofs and commercial windows. Embedded curved benches, landscaping, and variations in paving help soften the geometry of the plaza, forming resting spots under native vegetation.
By inserting an open civic space into the heart of a private commercial development, Plaza Pochote presents an alternative to the traditional roadside commercial facade model. Commerce, circulation, landscaping, and coexistence integrate into a permeable ground floor that can be walked through, used, or served as a meeting point, allowing the project to actively interact with the public life of Santa Teresa.