THE STUDIO

A Digital-Nomad Entrepreneurship

Our work only finishes with a satisfied client, on budget and ready to enjoy a dramatic improvement in life quality through a

design-driven solution!


Jaime Correa Vélez Design & Conservation is a studio established in 2007 at Cartagena de Indias and licensed by the Colombian Professional Council of Architecture (CPNAA) to provide design and construction services throughout its territory. Our professional practice is fully proficient in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and up to date with international construction documents standards to provide design services worldwide.


Our CEO has been awarded in architectural design competitions such as “The Caribbean Cultural Park” in Barranquilla (2000) and “The 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games Water Complex” in Cartagena (2003). Partnering with architect Pedro Ibarra Jiménez, he designed the project “Sun Dial Park” in Cartagena in 2000.


During the Covid-19 pandemic the firm transitioned from a traditional permanent office providing architectural services in Colombia to a digital nomad studio with two companies, Jaime Correa Vélez SAS in Cartagena de Indias and Jaime Correa Velez LLC in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Since 2020, we have worked on multiple projects at architectural and urban level in joint ventures with Architecture firms in multiple geographic locations. A strong multicultural team network fluent in English and Spanish, based in the Americas and Europe, now focuses on high end homes design and heritage building conservation.


Design-Driven Solutions


The studio has worked on different project types in Colombia such as housing, hospitality, health facilities, offices, and commercial premises as well as sport, cultural, industrial, and educational institutions.  In 2012 our studio was selected by the Spanish firm BXD Arquitectura as an architectural supervisor of the “Paraíso del Mar” phase of their project “Mar de Indias” in the northern zone of Cartagena. In partnership with architect Alberto Samudio, our CEO designed and supervised the completion of the condominium “House of Viceroy Eslava” for the Constructora Barajas in Cartagena between 2005 and 2009.


In the state of Arkansas, our studio currently limits its professional practice to design-driven homes, including interior design and supervision during the construction with local general contractors in Hot Springs National Park.



Heritage Conservation


Since 2008 the studio developed a master plan for the restoration of Colombian National Historic Landmark San Diego Convent in Downtown Cartagena de Indias, currently hosting the University of Fine Arts of Bolívar. Several components of the master plan have been executed by general contractors under our studio supervision, meeting the country and the city urban heritage ordinances. This project set an important precedent addressing the critical downtown gentrification by bringing a multicultural hub in the heart of the San Diego quarter. Since 2011 we are working on the Restoration Master Plan of the "Seguros Bolívar Building", a Mid Century-Modern residential complex that became the urban gate of Bocagrande, Cartagena's touristic hub, since 1967.


Jaime Correa Vélez

CEO/CDO - Founding Partner

  • Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, 1997
  • Postgraduate Degree in Conservation & Restoration of Architectural Heritage, 1999
  • Staff Professor, 2001-2012

Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, School of Architecture, Colombia

  • Licensed Architect in Colombia  since 2000

Professional Council of Architecture (CPNAA), Colombia

  • Member since 2000.
  • Currently in Bolívar area’s Board of Directors

Colombian Architects Society (SCA)

  • International Associate since 2021

American Institute of Architects (AIA)

  • Expert Member since 2017
  • Voting Member on behalf of Colombia in the International Scientific Committee of Cultural Landscapes (ISCCL) since 2020

International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)

  • Member since 2023

International Union of Architects, (UIA)

Career Timeline

Jaime Correa Vélez is a licensed architect in Colombia, expert in Conservation and Restoration of Architectural Heritage graduated in 1997 at Jorge Tadeo Lozano University, published author and media contributor in his field. With studies in Education and Innovation/Creation of Technology-based Enterprises, is fully proficient in CAD and BIM. Founder and current CEO of JAIME CORREA VÉLEZ DESIGN & CONSERVATION.


He worked optimizing and improving the quality of the Architecture education in Colombia (2001-2012), teaching over 5000 hours as a staff professor at the Universities Rafael Núñez and Jorge Tadeo Lozano, as well as the Escuela Taller Cartagena de Indias. In 2003 he was appointed in Colombia as an evaluator for the 1st Architecture Education Quality Examination test.


Since 2021 he started an independent professional practice as a foreign architect upon the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) in the United States and is currently under their Architectural Experience Program (AXP) supervision program.


In 2007 Jaime Correa Vélez was nominated as “Architect of the Year” in Bolívar area by the Colombian Architects Society due to his Studio’s successful professional practice over that year. In 2025 he was awarded the “Epifanio Garay Medal” by the University of Fine Arts and Science of Bolívar for his career in architectural design and urban planning in Downtown Cartagena.


Current Location: Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

Samantha Bonilla Correa

BIM MANAGER

  • Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, 2019

Universidad Piloto de Colombia, School of Architecture

  • MSc in "City and Sustainable Architecture", 2021
  • MSc in "Innovation in Architecture: Technology & Design", 2024

Universidad de Sevilla, España

  • Licensed Architect in Colombia since 2019

Professional Council of Architecture (CPNAA)

Samantha Bonilla Correa is a licensed architect in Colombia, graduated from the Piloto University of Colombia in 2019, with master's degrees in "City and Sustainable Architecture" and "Innovation in Architecture: Technology and Design" from the University of Seville, Spain in 2022 and 2024. Extensive experience and mastery of Revit since 2018 with international certificate from Autodesk, handling of CAD, MEP, BIM, Dynamo, Lumion and Photoshop.


Her work experience has been carried out in different countries such as Colombia, Spain and the United States, with emphasis on different high-rise housing projects, single-family houses, commercial equipment, interior design and issues related to MEP.


Current Location: Seville, Spain

Carolina Valencia Correa

INTERIOR DESIGNER

  • Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, 2002

Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, School of Architecture, Colombia

  • Postgraduate Degree in Design Management, 2009

Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Colombia

  • Licensed Architect in Colombia  since 2003

Professional Council of Architecture (CPNAA)


Carolina Valencia Correa is a licensed architect in Colombia, graduated in 2002 from the Javeriana University of Bogotá. She began her professional experience in architectural design of residential buildings, being part of the design team of an important construction company in Bogotá, from 2002 to 2011.


From 2011 to 2018, still linked to the same construction company, she discovers her passion and greater talent, by taking care of the interior design of the residential units, giving life to each of the spaces that make up the house.


She has led residential and office projects, developing the design and specification of materials, furniture and lighting; including the design of furniture, accessories and decorative styling of the spaces. With a transitional style, which mixes the contemporary with traditional details, it creates harmonious and cozy spaces.


Current Location: Bogotá, Colombia