Makaira Penthouse is envisioned as a serene retreat where the sea breeze flows freely and the horizon becomes part of the daily rhythm. Located in Pozos Colorados, Santa Marta, this interior design project was guided by a clear intention: to create a space that merges elegance and functionality while maintaining an emotional connection with the surrounding coastal landscape. Designed for a young couple with small children, the apartment had to balance rest and recreation, offering both a peaceful and a lively setting for family life.
The inspiration stemmed directly from the natural environment: the expansive views, the Caribbean light, and the tactile textures of local materials. The design revolves around three key principles: visual openness, spatial continuity, and sensory materiality. Every design decision was made to elevate the experience of inhabiting the space, creating purposeful architecture spaces that are not just occupied but deeply felt. The penthouse becomes a living atmosphere, a place attuned to the rhythms of the sea and of inner time.
One of the main challenges was adapting the existing structural layout to allow for seamless connections between indoor spaces and the vast terraces. The design approach was to dissolve boundaries: large glass openings, fluid circulation, and a furniture arrangement that promotes integration while preserving the intimacy of each area. Spatial orientation was crucial, with every room positioned to celebrate the sea as a constant presence.
In terms of construction and materials, the selection was climate-conscious and deeply rooted in context. Sand-colored porcelain tile was used for the indoor flooring, evoking the nearby beaches and visually tying the interiors to the exterior terraces. Travertine stone was applied to accent walls and outdoor surfaces to reinforce the connection to nature.
Warm-toned wood appears throughout on wall panels, custom furniture, and details, bringing texture, depth, and visual balance. All materials were chosen for their durability in a coastal environment and their ability to age gracefully.
The spatial configuration follows an open and versatile logic. The social areas are anchored by a large, unified living–dining–kitchen space that opens directly to outdoor terraces, where a grill area and open-air dining space extend daily life toward the landscape.
The private zones, bedrooms and bathrooms were designed to offer a more introspective atmosphere, with controlled lighting and soothing finishes that enhance comfort and quietude.
Makaira Penthouse is an exercise in balance between nature and structure, openness and intimacy. A project that embodies Tarq Studio’s vision of creating soulful spaces that resonate with their inhabitants and respond sensitively to their context.
