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Architect Travels to Asia to Import Building Techniques to Panama

AJ Smith is an architect from the U.S. who is building a project on Boca Chica Island, Panama for a client. He recently returned from a fact-finding mission in Asia where he studied techniques and styles used there for building exotic and inexpensive dwellings. We thought our readers could get some value from hearing about what he learned overseas. The article is focused on Boca Chica Island, but there is still a wealth of knowledge and perspective for anyone building in the jungle environment. Enjoy!

Panama Architect

AJ Smith

1. What techniques have you found that could reduce cost and or beautify a project on Boca Chica Island?

Simple Balinese rooflines can be a great addition to Boca Chica Island. In some cases the roof also becomes part of the wall so there is an efficiency of material but it also becomes the most prominent feature of the building giving it a definitive island style. With many repetitive members, the technical difficulty of construction is reduced. If you are trying to achieve longer spans, site built trusses composed of smaller members can help reduce the need for lots of labor and hoisting equipment.

2. After touring Bali, what materials would be the most cost-effective for a project on Boca Chica Island?

I believe concrete, concrete block, milled timbers, bamboo, and natural roofs can all be cost-effective materials to use on the island. I had initially been hesitant to use concrete because the logistics of mixing large quantities and pouring onsite without the use of heavy machinery seemed daunting. After visiting the Gili islands, a place with no motor vehicles, only bicycles and horse carts, I saw this would not present much of a problem. A great deal of the structures I saw were primarily made of concrete and concrete block. They are able to mix and pour large quantities of concrete by creating mixing pits and careful coordination of lots of manual labor. One of the most impressive examples I saw was a 30 meter long pool poured without a single cold joint.

Many of the wall and roof structures I saw were all composed of small- to medium-sized framing members. Milled timbers generally created the primary structure while bamboo was a secondary framing member. It creates a very clean and simple look that has a strong tropical esthetic. By utilizing this style of framing you can avoid the cost of locating, sourcing, transporting, and erecting large timbers.

Natural roofs were a common feature almost everywhere I traveled in SE Asia, employing a wide variety of materials. In Bali they use a thin light grass that has a very appealing feathery look. In Cambodia they use a short wide leaf, in Thailand a coarse palm leaf is common. I’d like to experiment a bit with palm and grass roofs in Boca Chica to try to achieve a similar look and life span I saw throughout SE Asia.

3. Any new, exciting concept you came across in general that you are excited to try?

Panama Architect

AJ Smith

One of the most interesting things I saw was the Lumbung style house. These were traditionally used in agricultural areas for housing and rice drying. They are characterized by a raised pier foundation, an arched grass roof that serves as the walls as well, and are open on two sides. I saw a huge amount of adaptations of this style for bungalows. Subtle differences in roof lines and the addition of short walls create a multitude of layout options and customization. I believe they can be built quickly and inexpensively on Boca Chica but still greatly reinforces the island feel many are seeking. Since researching the structures, my client and I have decided to build a small lumbung bungalow first as we prepare for the larger more technical structures of the project.

4. In Bali you see lots of intricate craftsmanship, was there anything that jumped out at you to try in Panama?

There is amazing woodwork and craftsmanship in Bali. I was particularly drawn to the carved wood screens, paneling, and ornamentation. I would really like to use carved wood screens on some of the open aired structures we will be building as well as some of the ornamental ridge caps. I worry that finding the same craftsmanship in Panama may be difficult. We’ll have to see what our local labor source provides. We may just go with more straightforward elements to simplify the building process.
I also researched prefab architecture while I was there and visited a few building centers. Prefab can be a great solution for the island to bring in a high quality of construction but it is not the cost-effective solution. In Bali they will fully build, disassemble, label, package, and ship any design you give them. The main benefit to this would be a quality building, with a high level of craftsmanship, which could be assembled onsite quite quickly. The local labor pool could then focus on assembly rather than having to either find or train them to execute the more intricate joinery and woodwork. Another less expensive option utilizing prefab would be to build the majority of the project onsite using local materials and import select prefab elements like a roof and its framing members, or wood screens, paneling, and doors.

5. If you were your client what would you want to build? (Explain your dream idea for the island.)

Panama Architect

AJ Smith

For myself, I would start out very simple and basic but with lots flexibility for future expansion. We are still waiting to see how Boca Chica Island develops. As it begins to become more of a tourist destination I think it’s important to have the ability to adapt and encourage tourism.

My idea would be similar to the project we have planned. I would build a large open aired palapa with a kitchen and bar as a main place to hangout and a small one-bedroom bungalow with a full bath. This would give me the flexibility to add components as I see fit. The addition of a pool and more bungalows would probably follow soon after.

6. Are you taking clients? If so how can people reach you?

I’m always interested in speaking with prospective clients especially those interested in building something off-grid and in remote locations. They can contact me directly via email at [email protected] and see our body of work on our website www.forsitestudio.com

7. We get lots of questions about building in the jungle and how to create space without destroying the environment. Do you see this as a problem? How do you approach this challenge?

Panama Architect

AJ Smith

The jungle is a huge natural amenity on Boca Chica and every site is unique because of the power of the landscape. My approach to building within the jungle is similar to remodeling a house. The canopy is your roof, the existing trees and vegetation are like walls, and your views are like windows. You work within the existing conditions to optimize your experience. It is necessary to maximize the shelter and shade created by the canopy but still create good flow within the space beneath. Large old growth trees are a means to organize space within the jungle. The location and design of the buildings directly respond to preserving the old trees while landscaping and pruning begin to define space beneath them and open up views to the surrounding landscape, ocean, and mountains in the distance. Through careful consideration the jungle becomes a great natural amenity creating privacy and a sense of intimacy within the site while at the same time it can create direction and awe to the scale of the expansive setting that surrounds the site and island.

8. The jungle has it own challenges in regards to maintenance, how would you combat this with design?

Panama Architect

AJ Smith

Regular maintenance is unavoidable given the site and its remoteness, but thoughtful design can keep maintenance to a minimum. Wood-destroying insects are a primary concern in Central America. A raised pier foundation capped with termite barriers can help prevent termites. Regular spraying can be effective as well.

Careful landscaping directly around the home site can also help reduce maintenance. The jungle is always fighting to reclaim its space so clearing the more evasive rapid growth vegetation and replacing them with ornamental and beneficial plants can help a great deal in controlling animals and erosion.

We know that all projects on the island are going to be exposed to the elements. Wind, rain, and sun can all take their toll on a building. Use of quality materials such as select hardwoods, robust roofing, and high grade sealants can substantially reduce the long-term maintenance required to keep a project beautiful.

Another thing to be mindful of is that the buildings here may be uninhabited for long periods of time. Security from intrusion and the elements should be considered. By utilizing sliding screens, shutters, and other techniques the buildings can be locked down while unoccupied, minimizing potential damage and then quickly opened up when the occupants return.

9. Do you think AC is must have?

I do not think AC is a necessity. A well-designed home can be quite comfortable year-round given the island’s location and the prevailing winds. My preference is to have AC in the bedrooms as a place to retreat on the hottest days with no wind but it may not be utilized the majority of the time. In the end it really depends on the client. If they feel the need for an entire home that is climate-controlled then the power system can be designed to handle the load.

10 How do you think about the energy needs of a project vs. the design? What is the process?

The performance of a building directly corresponds to the amount of energy that is required to comfortably occupy it. We look first at passive design which will optimize the performance of a building before we introduce any active system (power, hvac, lighting, etc.) In the passive design phase we look at regional weather, the sun’s path of travel, and the immediate building site (tree cover, topography, etc). All of these variables then directly inform the design. Window and door locations that capture prevailing breezes and allow for good daylighting, roof overhangs that prevent sun from directly entering the home during the hottest months of the year, and how the home sits on the site to maximize cooling from the existing landscape are all effective ways to implement passive design. The building envelope also is a primary concern. Solid wall and roof composition, good insulation, and high quality windows and doors all directly affect the building envelope and its performance.

Once we feel the home performs as well as it can passively, we begin to look at introducing active systems as minimally as possible. Luckily, in recent years there have been huge steps taken in energy efficient components. We utilize DC power where possible, LED lighting, appliances specifically engineered for off-grid living, and variable speed HVAC systems. By using current technologies you can greatly reduce the power demands of a project and in turn decrease the size and cost of the power system needed as infrastructure.

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