Sun City: Coastal Heights with Smart Formwork Solutions
Cartagena, Colombia
Formwork solutions for a seamless build in tight spaces
A modern, minimalist high-rise is on the rise in one of Colombia’s most iconic coastal cities – and Doka is right at the heart of it.
Sun City, a 22-storey residential tower with a height of 75 metres, marks a significant high-rise project win for Doka Colombia, in partnership with Urbacolombia.
The project stands out not only because of its striking sea-view apartments and barrier-free lifestyle concept, but due to the challenging construction site conditions. Located in the dense urban fabric of Cartagena de Indias, the site offers limited space for logistics and operations.
Building type
Residential building
Challenge
- Limited space in dense urban area
- Demanding execution timelines
- High safety and quality requirements
Solution
- Hydraulic climbing systems for continuous vertical progress
- Combined use of SKE100 + Frami Xlife for the core
- Xclimb 60 + Top 50 for architectural façade finishes
Overcoming Structural and Spatial Constraints
The main challenges faced during the project were safety, execution time and the need to work within a limited physical space. These conditions demanded a high level of technical and operational performance, prompting the search for innovative solutions adapted to the environment. In this context, hydraulic lifting systems were chosen, as they offered significant advantages in terms of precision, efficiency and control. This technology made it possible to optimize work times, reduce operational risks, and ensure a cleaner and more organized execution, thus meeting the quality and safety standards required for the project.
Ricardo Outten | Project Manager | Sun City
„Sun City is being built under very tight space constraints. With Doka climbing systems, we are enabling fast progress, efficient logistics, and top-tier safety — despite the challenges“
Integrated Formwork and Climbing Systems Drive Precision and Safety
Frami Xlife system was used in combination with the SKE climbing system for the construction of the central core walls, enabling safe and continuous vertical progress. For the exterior walls, Xclimb 60 platforms were used together with the TOP 50 formwork system, allowing for high-quality exposed concrete finishes that met the project's architectural standards. The hydraulic climbing systems were key to maximizing space usage, maintaining quality and ensuring a controlled, safe work environment. These technical solutions ensured a precise, safe, and efficient execution, meeting the highest quality standards and contributing to the overall success of the project.
Project data
Year of completion
2026
Project duration
2023-2026
Country
Colombia
ZIP Code
130000
City
Cartagena
Contractor
Urbacolombia