Structures & foundations in Armenia and Quindío
We build the part of a project that cannot be seen once it is finished and that decides whether the building stays standing: foundations, slabs, reinforced concrete frames, steel structures and roof structures. All of it under the NSR-10, Colombia's earthquake-resistant building code (Reglamento Colombiano de Construcción Sismo Resistente).
In Quindío this is no mere formality. The department lies in a high seismic hazard zone: the earthquake of 25 January 1999 destroyed much of Armenia, and the earthquake of 10 August 2026 damaged buildings in the region once again. A well-designed structure that is badly built fails just like a badly designed one.
What it includes
- Foundations. Excavation, ground improvement where the soil study calls for it, footings, foundation and tie beams, and ground slab.
- Reinforced concrete frames and slabs. Columns, beams and floor slabs, with control of the steel and the concrete at every pour.
- Steel structures. Structures for roofs and pergolas, on their own or combined with concrete.
- Roofs. Structure, roof covering and waterproofing.
- Strengthening. Work on existing structures when a refurbishment or an earthquake calls for it, based on a signed design and with a building permit.
What to check before a concrete pour
Once the concrete has been cast, correcting a mistake means demolishing. This is what we check before every pour, and what you can ask of any builder:
- That it matches the drawings. Grid lines, dimensions and levels identical to those on the approved structural drawings.
- The steel. Bar diameters, number of bars, laps and stirrup spacing as shown on the drawing. At the ends of columns and beams the design calls for more closely spaced stirrups: that is the zone that works in an earthquake, and the one most often neglected.
- The cover. Spacers so that the steel sits inside the concrete and not against the formwork or the ground, where it rusts.
- Formwork and propping. Clean, plumb, free of leaks and with props able to carry the fresh concrete.
- What gets embedded. Pipes, sleeves and boxes placed before pouring, so the element does not have to be broken open later.
- The concrete. Specified strength, samples for testing, vibration and curing.
The check is carried out by the resident engineer and goes into the photographic record in the reports.
The code, in a few words
The NSR-10 was issued under Law 400 of 1997 and applies throughout the country. One- and two-storey houses have a title of their own, Title E, and geotechnical studies are governed by Title H. More detail in what the NSR-10 requires. The structure is built in accordance with the drawings signed by the structural designer and with the building permit.
Projects of this kind we have delivered
Full photographs are in the portfolio.
- Country House Lot 78 — Alcalá, Valle del Cauca, 2023–2024. Two-storey country house: foundations, structure, roof, swimming pool and finishes.
- Casa del Bosque — Cerritos, Pereira, 2024–2026. Two-storey country house with a steel structure for roofs and pergolas.
- Chambery House Lot 9C — Cerritos, Pereira, 2021–2022. Single-family home in the Malabar gated community: concrete structure, masonry, services and finishes.
- Frigopork pork processing plant — La Victoria, Valle del Cauca, 2022–2026. Civil and industrial works: structure, roofing, technical floors and specialised services.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a soil study for a house?
Yes. It is the study that defines the type and depth of the foundations. On hillside
plots, like most in the Coffee Region, building foundations “the way it has always been
done” is the most common way to get it wrong.
Concrete or steel structure?
It depends on the use, the spans and the weight of the roof. Many houses combine the
two, like Casa del Bosque: concrete frames with steel roofs and pergolas.
Can I build an extra storey on top of my house?
Only if the existing structure and foundations can carry the new load, and that is
checked with a study, not by eye. The extension needs a structural design and a
building permit. If the house was damaged in the earthquake, start with the
earthquake damage inspection.
Will you build to my structural engineer's design?
Yes. We build from their drawings and consult them on any change. If you do not have a
design yet, we coordinate it as part of the
construction of the whole project.
Do you have structural drawings or a soil study? Send them to us with the location of the plot and we will prepare a written budget with unit price analysis and a schedule.