La Palma “The Palm”

SANTIAGO, D.R.

In collaboration with architecture students, this group project focused on designing a mixed-use housing development in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The ground level activates the streetscape with commercial spaces that support the local community, while the residential units above are organized to maximize comfort, natural ventilation, and connectivity. Passive design strategies address the hot, humid climate, and shared courtyards, circulation paths, and rooftop spaces encourage social interaction and foster a strong sense of community.

Samford University

Year: 2025

Professor: Tonya Miller, Jill Hicks, & Arron Brakke

Software: Rhino, Revit, SketchUp, LUMION

Situated in Santiago, La Palma is designed to respond to the hot, humid climate through passive strategies that ensure comfort without reliance on air conditioning. Cross-ventilation, shaded balconies, and breezeways enhance airflow, while recycled aluminum shading devices and locally sourced wood improve durability, energy efficiency, and environmental performance.

Rooted in Dominican culture, the design emphasizes family, communal gathering, and shared experiences. Interior and exterior spaces are carefully arranged as interconnected environments, with circulation paths, courtyards, and rooftop areas designed to foster social interaction. Community-focused programs are embedded within the residential fabric, creating spaces that support daily life, encourage local entrepreneurship, and cultivate a strong sense of belonging.

Through careful spatial planning, La Palma delivers a cohesive environment where living, commerce, and community seamlessly converge.

Confluence

Confluence was the grounding word that guided our design. It means “a coming or flowing together, meeting, or gathering at one point.” La Palma Residences will serve as a welcoming gathering space for its residents and the community. The site layout has an intuitive flow with connected pathways that bring people to the courtyard as a central gathering point and gently lead into the interior spaces. The courtyard offers ample seating to encourage community and relationships. Throughout the design, circular forms cultivate togetherness among users of the space. The materials reflect the nature surrounding the site, with green ebony wood, soft greens and blues, and palm‑inspired features.

Palm

Palm trees also inspired the design and the concept. The name we chose for the residence is La Palma. In the Bible, palm trees represent righteousness, flourishing, and eternal life. A verse that shaped this vision is Psalm 92:12: “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” This verse guided the design of the buildings themselves. They curve toward each other to create a central path that resembles a river leading to a gathering point in the courtyard—showing that, much like a palm tree flourishes by a river, the residents of La Palma can thrive and build community in this space.