Santo Domingo’s Historic Waterfront

Santo Domingo, DR

This reimagined waterfront terminal bridges Santo Domingo’s colonial heritage with contemporary, sustainable urbanism. Situated at the mouth of the Ozama River, the Columbus Cruise Center functions as a high-performance gateway, balancing the logistical demands of world-class vessels with seamless access to the historic Colonial City. The master plan integrates floating walkways, interactive water elements, and vibrant commercial zones into a cohesive public realm that prioritizes immersive visitor experiences. Through a framework of green roofs, solar shading, and rainwater harvesting, the design embeds ecological resilience into the architectural DNA. Ultimately, the project establishes a dynamic urban edge that brings historic legacy, modern innovation, and natural beauty into a continuous dialogue.

Project Details

Year: 2025

Location: Santo Domingo, DR

Status: Ongoing

Client: Fabio Valenzuela

Team: Claudia Busch, Gustavo Busch, Ashley Ramirez, Soufiane Benbrahim, Idil Ulucevik.

Image Credits: BBA miami

Our goal was to create a dialogue between the Colonial City and the Caribbean Sea, a waterfront destination where heritage, community, and sustainability meet.