PADZZLE by Anna Domingo

  Walking through the streets of New York City, something troubling is happening in plain sight. We’ve all seen them: the iconic green newsstands that once served as the city's information hubs. But look closer at their transformation. Today, these kiosks have quietly evolved into  sugar stands . They are no longer about news; they are walls of candy, towers of soda, and rows of ultra-processed snacks. It is a stark, neon-lit snapshot of what is wrong with nutrition in the U.S. today:  Sugar is everywhere, but nourishment is nowhere. Convenience vs. Care This isn't just a matter of personal choice or "bad habits." This is a structural issue. Sugar in this form is engineered for craving, heavily subsidized, and strategically placed on nearly every high-traffic corner—especially those near our schools, hospitals, and transit hubs. When "convenience" becomes a euphemism for "cheap calories," care for the community falls out of the equation. We are sac...

 Padzzle  Placemaking with Purpose  at Inspire Conference, humanization is the new personalization. How can we humanize and make profit through Placemaking? We had the opportunity to be part of a talented panel moderated by Sonia Santana. Do you want to learn more? 

  For PADZZLE, placemaking isn’t just a buzzword — it’s our mission. We were honored to be the very first guest on  Coffee Convos with Kelsi Cory , where our founder, Anna Domingo , shared how we approach real estate with a unique blend of purpose, people, and profit. “Placemaking, in our case, we do placemaking with purpose. This is pretty much our trademark,” Anna explained. “Our mantra is to provide purpose, profit, people-centered.” Interview link here: https://youtu.be/yVD_KeA5Qds?t=104 Whether we’re breathing new life into an existing building through adaptive reuse or conceptualizing a brand-new mixed-use development from scratch, our goal is always the same: to create spaces that foster connection, belonging, and joy. PADZZLE collaborates with developers, architects, and communities to transform spaces into places people truly love. From vibrant public plazas to reimagined commercial corridors, our projects are rooted in both local identity and global insight. Wit...

  Creating spaces that bring people together, whether through art, architecture, or community development, is at the heart of placemaking. But as technology evolves, the way we experience these spaces is also changing. Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and the metaverse promise to transform the experience, offering accessibility and unique perspectives. However, can these digital tools truly replace the depth and authenticity of real-world experiences? Drawing on my reflections and past work, this blog explores the debate between virtual and real placemaking—when does technology enhance, and when does it fall short? Revisiting Placemaking at Its Best When I think of extraordinary placemaking, my mind always returns to The Gates by Christo and Jeanne-Claude in Central Park, 2005. Standing amidst 7,503 flowing saffron panels, it was impossible not to feel inspired, engaged, and deeply present. This unique installation wasn’t just art—it was an experience, drawing mill...

  Wrapping Up 2024 with Gratitude and Excitement for the Year Ahead As the holiday season draws near and we prepare to step into 2025, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journeys we’ve had this year. At PADZZLE 2024 has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it's all thanks to you—our trusted clients. This year, we had the privilege of working on remarkable projects across the globe. From the bustling energy of New York City to the serene landscapes of The Caribbean , the innovative pulse of Los Angeles , the timeless allure of Egypt , and the dynamic future of Riyadh , each project has been a testament to collaboration, innovation, and vision. Here’s what made 2024 truly special: Innovation in Design – We’ve tackled ambitious projects that redefined placemaking with cutting-edge ideas and forward-thinking approaches. New Visions for Placemaking and Entertainment – Together, we’ve created spaces and experiences that inspire joy, community, and connection. ...

  Just recently, I spent a few days in Lloret de Mar—a beautiful Mediterranean destination my family has frequented for decades. Every visit brings a duality of emotions. I return refreshed, basking in the crystal-clear waters and enjoying new spots like the stunning Castell cocktail bar. But I leave upset, frustrated by the town’s stubborn adherence to an obsolete tourism model. Lloret de Mar continues to cling to mass tourism, and it’s a model that no longer makes sense. The numbers back this up. Lloret de Mar offers around 30,000 rooms , a staggering figure for such a small city. To put this into perspective, Barcelona has about 39,000 rooms , and New York, a global behemoth, has around 123,000 rooms, minus 16,000 used for non-hospitality purposes like immigration housing. Why does this matter? Because while Lloret de Mar remains anchored to an outdated concept , it misses opportunities for more sustainable and profitable models. The pre-pandemic tourism data shows little to n...