Shopping La Molina II | Lima, Peru

Building Lima’s Commercial Future: Mall Expansion Showcases EFCO’s Engineering Adaptability

Lima, Peru

Connecting Communities Through Retail Growth

Lima’s La Molina district continues its transformation into a vibrant commercial hub with the expansion of Shopping La Molina II. This addition nearly doubles the mall’s existing retail footprint. Spanning two basement levels and four above-ground stories, this project creates a modern shopping space serving the growing La Molina community and surrounding neighborhoods. The expansion seamlessly integrates with the existing structure while introducing contemporary architectural elements, including dramatic cantilevered sections that maximize retail space within strict municipal constraints.

Partnership Rooted in Performance

Constructora Inarco Peru SAC has built a strong reputation tackling technically demanding projects across Lima’s competitive construction market. When planning the Shopping La Molina II expansion, general manager Martín Ullauri and project manager Miguel Ángel Félix specifically requested EFCO based on their long-standing relationship with Territory Manager Henry Gonzales and proven field service on previous collaborations.

The comprehensive solution included E-Z DECK® shoring systems for slabs and cast-in-place beams, HAND-E-FORM® for beam sides and walls, SUPER STUD® for vertical support, and EFCO LITE® columns combined with PLATE GIRDER® formwork. This integrated approach enabled Inarco to manage the project’s complexity while maintaining the aggressive schedule.

Engineered Solutions for Deep Beam Challenges

The structure featured beams extending 3 to 3.5 feet (0.9 to 1.1 m) deep, supporting relatively thin 6 to 8-inch (152 to 203 mm) slabs—a proportion that complicates forming and shoring operations. EFCO’s solution integrated PRO4® jacks directly into SUPER STUD® towers, creating assemblies with sufficient reach to support Z-BEAM® carrying the deep beam forms. This configuration allowed crews to strip slab forming while leaving beam forms in place, enabling earlier reshore operations and faster cycle times.

The HAND-E-FORM® panels provided smooth concrete finishes on beam sides, while the modular E-Z DECK® system adapted to floor-to-floor repetition throughout the structure. For column work, Inarco used EFCO LITE® columns combined with PLATE GIRDER® formwork, delivering the architectural finish the owner demanded without impacting the construction schedule.

Managing Complexity Through Detailed Engineering

Construction of shopping malls inherently creates congested job sites. The La Molina expansion amplified this challenge with six total levels, multiple ramps, numerous floor openings, and irregular layouts that prevented repetitive gang forming. EFCO’s engineering team divided the project into four distinct sectors, each receiving customized erection drawings that addressed specific geometric challenges.

EFCO’s Field Service Team, embodying EFCO’s super service commitment, worked directly with site supervisors throughout the project, providing on-site training, troubleshooting installation issues, and optimizing equipment layouts to keep multiple crews productive simultaneously. This hands-on support ensured Inarco’s teams could confidently execute complex forming solutions without delays. This collaborative approach exemplifies EFCO’s commitment to Quality and Innovation—delivering engineered solutions that address real-world challenges while maintaining the precision contractors depend on.

Cantilevered Innovation Within Municipal Constraints

The project’s most significant technical challenge emerged when municipal officials enforced strict property line restrictions. Standard practice supports perimeter beams and slabs from street level, but Inarco couldn’t extend shoring towers beyond their property boundary onto the adjacent sidewalk. The edge beams required support for upper-level concrete placement, creating an engineering challenge.

EFCO engineers developed a cantilever solution using double SUPER STUD® assemblies that supported the entire edge forming within the building’s footprint. This engineered cantilever system eliminated the need for ground-level support while maintaining structural integrity during concrete placement. The design was implemented quickly through collaborative problem-solving between EFCO’s engineering team and Inarco’s site leadership, avoiding costly delays and potential conflicts with the municipality.

Why Partnership Matters

Constructora Inarco Peru SAC selected EFCO for the Shopping La Molina II expansion because they needed more than formwork rental—they needed an engineering partner capable of navigating the complexities of urban construction. The long-standing relationship between Inarco’s leadership and the EFCO team provided confidence that custom solutions would be engineered quickly when challenges arose, as demonstrated by the rapid development of the cantilever support system.

EFCO consistently delivers the Lowest In-Place Concrete Costs (LIPCC) through responsive engineering that prevents schedule delays, comprehensive field support that maintains crew productivity, and proven formwork systems that adapt to project-specific demands. For contractors managing complex urban expansions where unexpected site constraints demand immediate engineering solutions, EFCO’s performance on Shopping La Molina II demonstrates why building partnerships matters more than simply renting equipment.