Service

Architectural Design in Tulum and the Riviera Maya

Looking for an architect in Tulum? PGA designs villas, residences, condos and boutique hotels shaped by the climate, the limestone ground and the regulations of the Riviera Maya, with architect Roberto Carli personally leading every project.

Every successful project in Tulum begins with rigorous architectural design. At PGA - Progetti Globali di Architettura, we develop architectural designs that respond directly to the tropical environment, the regulatory framework of Quintana Roo, and the specific goals of each client. Founded by Roberto Carli, a licensed architect with deep experience building across the Riviera Maya, PGA integrates spatial planning, structural logic, material selection, and climate strategy from the very first sketch.

Whether you are designing a private villa, a boutique hotel, a residential condominium, or a commercial space in Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or anywhere along the Riviera Maya, our process ensures that design decisions translate directly into buildable, compliant, and financially sound architecture.

Our Architectural Design Process

Architectural design at PGA follows a clear, structured process, from the initial brief through the final construction documents:

Brief & Site Analysis

We begin by understanding your goals, budget parameters, and the specific conditions of your site, sun orientation, prevailing winds, topography, proximity to protected zones, and the regulatory requirements that apply to your location in Quintana Roo.

Concept Design

We develop initial massing, spatial organization, and design concepts. This stage defines how the building sits on the land, how spaces connect, how natural light and ventilation are used, and what materials and finishes align with the project's character.

Schematic & Design Development

The concept is refined into detailed architectural drawings, floor plans, sections, elevations, and 3D visualizations. Structural, mechanical, and electrical systems are coordinated at this stage to prevent conflicts during construction.

Construction Documents

We produce a complete set of technical drawings and specifications required for permit applications, contractor bidding, and construction supervision. Documents comply with Mexican construction regulations and are prepared for submission to municipal authorities in Tulum or Playa del Carmen.

Designing for the Riviera Maya's Climate and Context

Tropical environments place specific demands on architecture. At PGA, climate-responsive design is not an add-on, it is built into every decision. We design for natural cross-ventilation to reduce reliance on mechanical cooling, for deep overhangs and shading that protect interiors from direct solar gain, and for materials that perform durably in high humidity and salt-air conditions. We work extensively with materials suited to the Riviera Maya context: exposed concrete, chukum natural plaster, local stone, reclaimed wood, and other regional materials that are both climatically appropriate and architecturally expressive.

Project Types We Design

PGA provides architectural design services across a range of project types in Tulum and the Riviera Maya:

Private villas and luxury residences
Boutique hotels and eco-resorts
Residential condominiums and apartment complexes
Restaurants, bars, and commercial spaces
Wellness centers and yoga retreats
Mixed-use commercial and residential developments

Architectural Design Integrated with Development

One of PGA's most important distinctions is that Roberto Carli is both an architect and a developer. This means architectural design at PGA is always developed with buildability and budget in mind. We do not design in isolation from construction reality. Every drawing we produce has been considered for its cost implications, construction feasibility, and regulatory compliance, so that projects move efficiently from design to permitting to build without costly surprises.

Why Work with PGA for Architectural Design in Tulum

Licensed architect with over 20 years of experience
Deep knowledge of local building codes, environmental regulations, and permit processes
Full integration of design, construction supervision, and development under one studio
Experience across residential, hospitality, and commercial project types
Projects completed in Tulum, Playa del Carmen, El Cuyo, and across the Riviera Maya
Italian-trained design sensibility adapted to the tropical Mexican context

Ready to Design Your Project in Tulum?

If you are planning a project in Tulum or the Riviera Maya and want to work with an architect who understands both design and development, we would like to hear about it.

→ Contact PGA to discuss your project

→ Explore our completed projects portfolio

→ Learn about our integrated construction and development services

What makes Tulum architecture different

Designing in Tulum is not like designing in a temperate city. Good tropical architecture starts from orientation, shade and airflow, then uses the jungle and local materials to create spaces that feel open without becoming expensive to cool or maintain.

Orientation and cross-ventilation

Spaces are placed around the sun path and prevailing breezes to reduce dependence on air conditioning.

Working with the jungle

Existing trees are kept wherever possible and used as natural shade and privacy instead of clearing the whole lot.

Materials that age well

Chukum, regional stone, exposed concrete and treated tropical woods, selected for their behaviour in humid, salty air.

Design checked against real construction costs

Because PGA also builds, every design is reviewed against current local prices for materials and labour. That avoids the most common problem in the region: a beautiful project that turns out to be unbuildable on the client's budget.

What the service includes

Site survey and lot analysis
Concept design and architectural program
3D visualisations
Complete architectural drawings
Coordinated structural and MEP engineering
Construction documents ready for permits and pricing

How we work

Brief and site visit. We walk the lot, review zoning and listen to how you want to live, rent or operate the property.
Concept. Layouts, massing and 3D views that test orientation, views, privacy and budget.
Design development. Materials, systems and engineering are coordinated into one buildable design.
Construction documents. A complete set for permits, pricing and construction, ideally built by our own team.

Related projects

Frequently asked questions

Do you only design, or can you also build?

Both. PGA can deliver design only, but most clients choose design and construction together so one team answers for the result.

Can I manage the design process from abroad?

Yes. Many of our clients live outside Mexico; we work through video meetings, shared drawings and 3D models, and site visits when you are in Tulum.

What types of projects do you design?

Private villas and residences, condos, boutique hotels and commercial spaces across Tulum and the Riviera Maya.

Related guides

Beyond Tulum, we deliver this service in Playa del Carmen, Akumal, Soliman Bay and Bacalar.

Related work

More services