Dezeen School Shows: a floating city built with renewable energy resources and low-impact materials is among the student projects from the University of Panama.

Also featured is an educational centre for communities in hard-to-reach areas, and a proposal for a botanical research garden.

University of Panama

Institution: University of Panama
School: School of Architecture
Courses: Undergraduate thesis projects
Tutors: Delfín Del Busto, Nora Castillo, Melannie Fossatti, Federico Rodríguez, Saúl Servín, Tatiana Sousa and Linette Yanisselly

School statement:

"Since 1943, the School of Architecture at the University of Panama has been the largest school of architecture in the Republic of Panama. Today, it is a vibrant space for creation, innovation and knowledge, dedicated to the comprehensive development of its students.

"We foster academic and personal growth through relevant curricular programmes, continuous faculty and staff development and the integration of technologies and infrastructures that enrich the educational experience.

"We look toward the future with the vision of becoming a prestigious faculty recognised for shaping socially sensitive, technically responsible professionals in architecture and design who can transform Panamanian society.

"Our values – excellence, integrity, honesty, responsibility, justice, respect, tolerance, pluralism, equity, innovation and solidarity – guide every project and action, ensuring an education that inspires, motivates and transcends the classroom.

"At the School of Architecture, we cultivate a passion for designing and building in response to our tropical climate, creating a better environment. We believe that each student can be a catalyst for change and a visionary, ready to design the cities of tomorrow."

Public Library Park in the Arraiján District by Roxana Castillo

"The district of Arraiján has become a hostile and fragmented city for its inhabitants, as a result of a lack of urban planning, a shortage of public spaces and high illiteracy rates.

"Given this reality, the proposal for a library park has been put forward as a model inspired by the strategy of the Mayor's Office of Medellín, which demonstrated that this type of space not only serves to house books, but also becomes a meeting point for the community.

"This approach seeks to generate social transformation, promote inclusion and turn the project into a symbolic place for Arraiján."

Student: Roxana Castillo
Course: Undergraduate thesis project
Tutor: Delfín Del Busto
Email: roxanacastillo2198[at]gmail.com

School with a Contemporary Vision of Education in Don Bosco by David Riquelme

"Education is an essential pillar of social development, but in our country, it faces challenges that require attention.

"This raises the need to reflect on the role of architecture in education, as school infrastructure is key to the comprehensive development of students.

"Poor infrastructure can demotivate and increase dropout rates, while a well-designed environment inspires and enriches learning. This project analyses how architectural design can be a strategic tool for strengthening education and proposing innovative solutions."

Student: David Riquelme
Course: Undergraduate thesis project
Tutor: Saúl Servín
Email: davidriquelme702[at]gmail.com

The School of My Dreams: Prototype Educational Centre for Hard-to-Reach Areas by Angélica Newsan

"The School of My Dreams is a prototype educational centre designed for communities in hard-to-reach areas.

"The modular, transportable and adaptable design allows for rapid, efficient construction that is sensitive to the natural and cultural environment.

"Through the use of lightweight materials, sustainable techniques and community participation, functional, safe and flexible spaces are created that respond to local needs. The design includes classrooms, dormitories, bathrooms and common areas connected by modules that are raised on stilts, adapting to the terrain.

"This school seeks to promote learning in dignified, resilient environments with identity, strengthening the link between architecture and community."

Student: Angélica Newsan
Course: Undergraduate thesis project
Tutor: Linette Yanisselly
Email: angelicanewsan[at]gmail.com

Bamboo Eco-Construction Training Centre in Potrerillos, Chiriquí by Jennia Monrroy

"This refuge for learning promotes the appreciation and use of bamboo as a locally-sourced construction material.

"The exploration began with an inventory of species and the geometric, physical and mechanical characterisation of Guadua angustifolia.

"Based on these studies, community interviews and site analysis, a master plan was designed that includes built infrastructure, modules or "nodes" that adapt to the topography and function of the spaces.

"In turn, the living infrastructure includes the existing forest and garden, and proposes a bamboo plantation. The centre grows in stages, evocatively, alongside the planted bamboo and community knowledge."

Student: Jennia Monrroy
Course: Undergraduate thesis project
Tutor: Linette Yanisselly
Email: jmonrroy15[at]gmail.com

Migratory Shorebird and Panama Bay Wetland Visitor Centre by Christian Lasso

"The thesis proposes a Migratory Shorebird visitor centre in the wetlands of the Bay of Panama, inspired by the behaviour of the western sandpiper (Calidris mauri).

"Through digital analysis, flight patterns and flock densities of migratory shorebirds were studied to generate an architectural approach that interprets their movements.

"The proposal takes the form of an elevated platform between mangroves and mudflats, designed as a viewpoint and educational space.

"Its open design, integrated into the landscape, seeks to raise awareness of the importance of wetlands, highlight their biodiversity and promote the conservation of migratory shorebirds."

Student: Christian Lasso
Course: Undergraduate thesis project
Tutor: Federico Rodríguez
Email: chris009lasso[at]gmail.com

Applied Research Centre for the University of Panama by Anderson Florez

"The campus of the University of Panama is inspired by the tenets of modern architecture and sheltered by the greenery of the tropics.

"The proposal is a centre with a folded architecture that yields to the site, hides itself and stimulates the crossing of zones and paths to generate curiosity: a space that encourages encounters.

"The architectural typology is built on four activities: collect, use, disseminate and research. The building integrates solutions for runoff management, solar energy use, natural ventilation and ecological materials.

"Wind, light and rain are used to transform the experience of the place over time."

Student: Anderson Florez
Course: Undergraduate thesis project
Tutor: Linette Yanisselly
Email: andtlok[at]gmail.com

Municipal Food Market with Sustainable Vertical Hydroponic Gardens in Juan Diaz by Gabriel Trujillo

"How do you imagine food markets in 2050? This project is designed not only to address current difficulties, but also to meet future challenges.

"The project is not only structured around the traditional elements of a market, but also takes into account the characteristics of its surroundings and seeks to create a symbiosis within the urban fabric.

"The market includes a vertical hydroponic garden with an area of 1,200 metres-squared in the main atrium, which has a capacity equal to 8,000 metres-squared of traditional planting."

Student: Gabriel Trujillo
Course: Undergraduate thesis project
Tutor: Linette Yanisselly
Email: gabrieltswork[at]gmail.com

Exhibition and Training Centre for the Visual Arts by María del Carmen Lamela

"Conceived as a cultural catalyst, this project seeks to promote and raise awareness of artistic production in Panama, coordinating training, creation and exhibition processes in an environment that fosters the careers of creators.

"Located in Panama City, its design engages with the memory of the place and is conceived from the relationship between being inside and outside, generating a modulation that applies contrasts in colour, light, shadow and texture.

"The proposal uses timeless materials that guarantee versatility and permanence, such as pigmented concrete, steel, aluminium louvers, tempered glass, breeze blocks, perforated metal and solid and alveolar polycarbonate panels."

Student: María del Carmen Lamela
Course: Undergraduate thesis project
Tutor: Nora Castillo
Email: mariclamela[at]gmail.com

Guararé Botanical Garden by Marcos González

"The project included the development of buildings for botanical research and administrative areas, greenhouses for growing species and compositional proposals of the five themed gardens and the tropical forest covering more than 65,000 square metres, along with a list of recommended species.

"In addition, a cost analysis for the development of the project was included, with a general financing proposal."

Student: Marcos González
Course: Undergraduate thesis project
Tutor: Melannie Fossatti
Email: marcosg0195jose[at]gmail.com

Modular City on the Water by David Beltrán and Samuel Bonilla

"The Modular City on Water project is based on floating and adaptable architecture as a direct response to climate change and sea level rise threatening the indigenous region of Guna Yala, in the Caribbean coast of Panama.

"Theoretically, it integrates sustainability principles, using renewable energy technologies and low environmental impact materials to ensure self-sufficiency.

"In addition, it prioritises cultural respect of the traditions of the Guna people, offering a housing solution that maintains the community lifestyle and aquatic activities, seeking to comply with the UN Sustainable Development Goals."

Students: David Beltrán and Samuel Bonilla
Course: Undergraduate thesis project
Tutor: Tatiana Sousa
Emails: davidbeltran2711[at]gmail.com and sbonilla1994[at]gmail.com

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and the University of Panama. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

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