Gómez Platero in the Dialogue on Urban Transformation at La Feria del Diseño
From September 18 to 20, 2025, Plaza Mayor in Medellín will host La Feria del Diseño, the leading design event in Latin America and the Caribbean. Gómez Platero will join the panel on urban transformation, with Santiago Pérez and Ricardo Fernández participating alongside José M. Restrepo, Rector of Universidad EIA.
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La Feria del Diseño returns to Plaza Mayor, Medellín, from September 18 to 20, 2025, consolidating its position as the region’s premier platform for design, architecture, lifestyle, and hospitality. Powered by imm cologne, this 12th edition brings together over 200 leading brands, industry professionals, and design enthusiasts for three days of inspiration, networking, and business opportunities.
Over its 12 editions, the fair has connected 1,666 exhibiting brands from 21 countries, welcomed 173,222 attendees from 36 countries, and hosted more than 5,250 national and international buyers. The event offers a comprehensive experience, including a commercial exhibition, an academic agenda with renowned experts, a business matchmaking round, and more than 25 satellite events across Medellín, fostering networking and celebrating design in galleries, stores, hotels, and showrooms.
Discover other editions of La Feria del Diseño here.
Gómez Platero Arquitectura & Urbanismo will participate in the panel “The City as Opportunity: Design, Economy, and Social Transformation,” scheduled for Thursday, September 18 at 4:50 p.m. in the Green Pavilion, as part of the Talks by Universidad EIA. Santiago Pérez, Business Development Manager of the firm, and Ricardo Fernández, Business Development Manager for the Americas, will join José M. Restrepo, Rector of Universidad EIA, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Medellín and other Latin American metropolises in the context of accelerated urbanization.
The panel will analyze how demographic growth, innovation, and investment are redefining urban structures, especially as projections indicate that by 2050, 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas—adding 2.5 billion people to cities. This process presents specific challenges for Medellín, where the geography of the Aburrá Valley and demographic dynamics shape densification, connectivity, and the provision of housing, mobility, and services.
The discussion will focus on guiding urban growth toward sustainable economic development and architecture that enhances quality of life, considering territory as a strategic resource and emphasizing the need for integrated and adaptive planning. The role of urban epicenters in territorial competitiveness and the potential of design as a catalyst in underutilized or stressed environments will also be examined.
Urban Transformation and Design Trends in Colombia
Colombia’s real estate and design sectors are experiencing rapid evolution, driven by urbanization, technological innovation, and changing consumer demands. Medellín, recognized for its urban regeneration and social innovation, continues to set benchmarks in sustainable development and creative industries. The city’s unique geography and demographic trends require adaptive solutions in urban planning, mobility, and housing, making events like La Feria del Diseño crucial for fostering dialogue and collaboration among industry leaders.
La Feria del Diseño Medellín powered by imm cologne stands out as an ecosystem where inspiration grows, ideas are shared, and trends are set, reaffirming its role as the leading design platform in Latin America and the Caribbean.
