One of the most prominent benefits of working with a consultant is, without a doubt, the experience and specialized knowledge that they bring to the finish selection process. Mar Azul Projects has highly trained professionals who understand the quality and functionality of different types of finishes, thus supporting the best selection at the time of purchase of these materials, and adding knowledge about the latest technological innovations in terms of materials and systems. . This allows us to advise accurately and provide personalized recommendations for each particular project.

Choosing the right finishes has a significant impact on the functionality and durability of a building. This is when —as an advisor— the specific needs of each space can be evaluated, considering both the design line and other influencing factors, such as natural lighting, expected traffic, and local climate, among other relevant aspects. With this information, the most appropriate materials and systems can be recommended, guaranteeing that the selected finishes meet quality standards and fit within the established budget.

Another advantage of working with an advisor is the optimization of resources. The proper choice of finishes can help maximize energy efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and improve user comfort. Mar Azul Projects has vast experience in different types of projects for which it has provided the best choice of materials: efficient lighting, durable coatings suitable for each traffic, thermal and acoustic insulation, and even in the choice of doors and windows that favor energy saving, acoustic comfort, and aesthetics.

Another great value in working with subject matter experts is simplifying the decision-making process. The variety of options on the market can be overwhelming for those unfamiliar with the world of construction. Mar Azul Projects, as an experienced advisor, can present a selection of finishes that fit the client’s style and preferences, thus avoiding the loss of time and resources in the search for inappropriate alternatives.

In summary, the choice of finishes in a construction project is a fundamental aspect that should not be left to chance. Having an expert advisor, such as Mar Azul Projects, provides the assurance that the selected finishes will be functional, aesthetically pleasing, and in accordance with the needs and expectations of our clients. Our specialized knowledge, experience, and ability to optimize resources make investing in a consultant an intelligent decision that will be reflected in the final result of the construction.

La entrada Importance of having an expert advisor in finishes se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

This iconic project has a special charm, an architectural mix throughout the center of the old city or Casco Antiguo as it is also known; which makes each story of its entire history emotional and that is because in this project you will find stories in every corner of the hotel, making the site a complete jewel.

Originally built as a Jesuit convent in 1688, the project showcases architectural styles such as Spanish, French, and American, thus divided into the hotel’s three wings. The buildings have been categorized according to their history and the restoration of each wing has been designed to rescue it with changes that do not disturb it and preserve the original structure.

The Casco Antiguo de Panamá is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, so working on a project located in this area generates both challenges and learning. The most important thing when working on a project located in a site of historical heritage, in addition to having private regulations and statutes that meticulously govern the area, is the responsibility to protect and preserve the national identity, the feeling of belonging, and to take care of each detail.

Throughout the execution of the project, under the direction of Mar Azul, an important challenge was working in the central patio, since when the earthworks were carried out as a result of the project, there were finds of historical objects. Upon encountering these findings, Historical Heritage was notified. It was also a mandatory requirement to have an archaeologist endorsed by the managing entity in the project to assist in each finding that occurred. When a finding was presented, the work was stopped until what was found was studied, a survey was carried out, it was removed from the site, and after they gave us the order to restart the work. In each situation, the entities in the area were informed and registered by the responsible institutions. Among the main findings we can mention:

→ Finding of a colonial wall along the outskirts of the building (Central Patio), less than 1.50 m deep, dating from 1688. Assistance was immediately requested from the institution in charge, several archaeologists verified the discovery, and they asked us to cordon off and preserve said architectural element within the construction, which is why the design was adapted to maintain this wall and incorporate it into the final design.

→ The second important finding was a human skeleton, also found nearby the central patio. It is estimated that this space functioned as a cemetery at that time since it is located next to the Church of the Company of Jesus, which also functioned as a Catholic convent and university. This finding was transferred for further analysis and review by archaeologists and responsible entities.

For us, as the Mar Azulteam, having been part of the Hotel La Compañía Project has marked a milestone, being part of a seven-year restoration project that tells stories, imagined and designed by its owner detail by detail, and in which historians, artisans, architects, and engineers from all over the world came together to make it a palpable reality and create a worthy experience, being able to be part of history through the details. Hotel la Compañía is, without a doubt, a work of art in our region and we are proud and satisfied to have fulfilled and been part of this jewel of the Casco Antiguo.

Show project

Hospitality

La Compañía
Hotel

Project: Hotel
Location: Casco Antiguo, Panama
Construction period: 2019 – Present
Promoter: Shebandowan Holdings, S. A.
Project investment: USD 20 MM
Construction area: 9,000 m2

Visit project

Historic hotel project consisting of the complete restoration and reuse of the four buildings that made up a 17th century Jesuit mission, the Society of Jesus. An emblematic project for our city.

The hotel will have 88 unique rooms, five restaurants, a bar and, on the rooftop, a sky lounge, full spa, hairdresser, swimming pool and jacuzzi.

→ Management of contractors.

→ Quality control, budget and quantity calculation.

→ Project management.

→ Project technical inspection.

→ Management of progress invoices.

→ Final delivery.

Hospitality

La Compañía
Hotel

Project: Hotel
Location: Casco Antiguo, Panama
Construction period:
2019 – Present
Promoter: Shebandowan Holdings, S. A.
Project investment: USD 20 MM
Construction area: 9,000 m2

Visit project

Historic hotel project consisting of the complete restoration and reuse of the four buildings that made up a 17th century Jesuit mission, the Society of Jesus. An emblematic project for our city.

The hotel will have 88 unique rooms, five restaurants, a bar and, on the rooftop, a sky lounge, full spa, hairdresser, swimming pool and jacuzzi.

→ Management of contractors.

→ Quality control, budget and quantity calculation.

→ Project management.

→ Project technical inspection.

→ Management of progress invoices.

→ Final delivery.

La entrada Hotel La Compañía, our execution experience in an important historical area se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

For this, our qualified and experienced personnel with the appropriate equipment, provide our clients with a reliable diagnosis from a non-invasive process that is much more in-depth and detailed than a simple visual inspection.

This service is broad in scope, ideal both for companies and individuals who are going to invest in the purchase of a property or in its remodeling, as well as for those who need to know exactly the diagnosis of a problem that is occurring on their property.

In this article we address the process of preparing our firm to carry out technical inspections. The first thing to know is that each technical inspection requires a prior analysis, taking into account the types of finishes and / or systems with which the property was built, as well as its age and the guarantee stage it is in.

Once all the general antecedents have been analyzed and the needs of the contracted service have been determined, the professionals who will participate in the inspection are selected, which may involve areas from finishes and structure to plumbing and electro mechanics to list a few; and to request from the promoter or owner of the property the plans for a study. If it is not possible to obtain them, we look for information in other sources to know the type of construction and to have all the possible information that can avoid surprises.

At Mar Azul we focus on all components to evaluate the integrity of your property that allow us to give a complete diagnosis. In our experience, the inspection time in apartments between 100 and 400 m2 can take from an hour and a half to five hours, varying according to the footage, the condition of the property and whether it is occupied or furnished.

Once the visit is completed, the Inspection Report is drawn up, which will be delivered to the client via digital means in a maximum of three business days so they can make decisions about their current or future asset with greater certainty and saving long-term costs. This document is the X-ray of the property and includes:

→ A report of classification of findings according to their specialty;

→ A detail of findings with their description;

→ Diagnosis; and

→ Photos and thermographic images and precise location on plans.

The latter allows the developer, individual or contractor responsible for the required repairs or replacements, to easily locate the findings, which are assigned a follow-up ticket through our Procore platform for their solution within the established time.

There are many benefits of conducting a complete technical inspection before investing in a property, so we invite you to evaluate this service and learn more about how Mar Azul can give you the peace of mind of acquiring a property, without surprises in the future.

La entrada Technical inspections se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

Feeling good in an attractive office, in terms of its infrastructure, is essential to even promote worker efficiency. Regardless of the intensity or pressure of the job itself, a happy office worker —motivated primarily by his job benefits— is far more productive than one who may feel uncomfortable in his professional environment.

A workspace, starting from its design phase, must be thought carefully considering the needs of each employee, promoting —in every sense— the perception of well-being and comfort. A study in which the walls and shelves do not affect the entry of natural light, and in which the spaciousness goes hand in hand with the adequate distribution of essential decorative elements, is simply one more way to encourage staff performance.

That the office is located in an exclusive area or in the business heart of the city —like the projects previously managed by Mar Azul in its vast trajectory of more than ten years— and in a space where noise does not harm the work, it is also a fundamental piece to consider it as a pleasant place.

Finally, in specific terms: good ventilation, hygiene care, a set of adequate and functional furniture and an appropriate computer, in addition to other aspects, make up the perfect complement for the constitution of a pleasant work space.

La entrada The importance of working in a class A office se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

In fact, companies currently develop complete projects focused on carrying out temporary activities in order to offer a particular product and / or service, designed to achieve specific objectives previously established for the benefit of the company.

This is where we can clearly see the importance of good management of real estate projects. Customers are demanding more and more specific things, so the offers have to be in line with their needs. And as the competition gets tougher, competitors must come up with better strategies if they’re looking to reach or stay on top.

What is a Project Manager?

Basically, he is in charge of carrying out the management of real estate projects that a construction company has, guaranteeing an optimal distribution and control of the budget, ensuring that each stage of the project is completed in the expected time, minimizing costs, while foreseeing and anticipating the possible inconveniences that may arise along the way.

What are the benefits of having a Project Manager?

The most mature and well-established construction companies tend to focus on improving processes, before results. And what about this? That one thing leads to another. By having specialized personnel such as a Project Manager (PM) in charge of watching over each step and stage of the project, they significantly increase the levels of productivity and success in the projects, compared to companies with little knowledge or who attach little importance to project management.

Companies that have a qualified Project Manager usually show improvements in the following areas:

→ Visibility of the project status;

→ Involvement of stakeholders;

→ Alignment of projects with the company’s strategy;

→ Alignment of the teams with the project objectives;

→ Deliveries according to the deadline;

→ Budget compliance;

→ Fulfillment of the objectives set in each project;

→ Risk reduction; and

→ Increase in productivity.

So what is the importance of good real estate project management?

Innovation is a highly valued feature among consumer demands. And the development of projects that offer specific solutions to specific needs in the face of customer needs is a growing trend that —more than interesting— is vital.

This way of organizing by projects has proven to be highly effective in the timely fulfillment of the proposed objectives, achieving good results in the positioning of companies and organizations.

This is why the administration of real estate projects is one of the administrative activities with the greatest weight and responsibility for construction companies or construction companies that recognize that the most optimal way to implement strategies is through specialized programs and projects. Hence, every day Project Managers are more essential.

La entrada Importance of good real estate project management se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

The Residences, at Bristol Panama, 2010

This project was one of the first steps taken by the corporation. Bristol is perhaps the most demanding project that Mar Azul has had to undertake. The construction was in the heart of the banking zone of Panama, so the transit of machinery and the lack of space to store material were a great challenge. However, the twenty-six-story work was built efficiently and with a 4% budget savings despite the logistical inconvenience.

Buenaventura, Río Hato, 2011

Mar Azul’s work consisted of planning the project that had an area of ​​300 hectares. The rockfall of the mouth of the Hato River township, the relocation of the existing vegetation and the underground system of aqueducts were also an essential part of the procedure. The total execution had a construction cost that exceeded 40 million dollars.

Solea, Punta Barco, 2013

Located in the wonderful district of San Carlos, this residential complex is made up of three towers with ten floors each. Each apartment measures between 185 and 205 m². The added value of this work of art is the large amount of space allocated to the social area for entertainment. The project was executed in the initially established time and with a 4% cost savings.

La entrada Three successful Mar Azul projects: Bristol, Solea and Buenaventura se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.