Thesis Document: Cultural Cohesion in Old Town Panama City

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Casco Viejo Artisan Center:

CULTURE COHESION in the face of rapidly urbanizing Panama City Alana Armstrong : M. Architecture thesis 2010-2011 University of Oregon



CONTENTS TOPIC

Discuss Examine Design Proposal

CONTEXT

Barrio (Neighborhood) & Site Urban Patterns Cultural Patterns

PROCESS

Conceptual Models Diagrams

DESIGN PROPOSAL Site Response Program Parti Plans Sections Elevations

MODELS

Site Context

Spatial & Tectonic

INTERIORS TECTONICS SYSTEMS & SUSTAINABLE DESIGN


DISCUSS

Sustain Cities and Neighborhoods through Culture, Craft and Character true to Locale.

Stance: As we continue to grow and progress as a society through modernization and technology, threats surface encouraging isolation, self-absorption, and loss of culture. Digital communication forgets human interaction. Instant information access through portable devices encourages loss of human resources. Urbanization brings mega-cities. Modernization and globalization becomes culture to date. Suddenly, our sense of place is lost. Our past is forgotten. The struggle of identity arrives as pop culture hijacks our innate culture. What is the meaning to being “local” or “native” to a place? How does one establish and define local character?

Expanding Fringe of Mexico City. No hint of individuality. Monotonous, regularity redundancy of residency.

Local = position, place, belonging, tradition VS. Global = entire, universal, capital, economy As developing countries rapidly grow over the next few decades, how do we narrate our cities through neighborhoods to preserve cultural traditions and historical character? This preservation of local culture and history transcends the current techno-economic mega-city models to build a higher sustainable city model.

Identit y through culture will sustain cities on a global scale. La Boca Barrio of Buenos Aires. Bursting with individuality. Color & local eclecticism create beauty.


Local Patterns preserve identity and sustain culture. From the writings of Christopher Alexander, he supports “the quality without a name in us, our liveliness, our thirst for life, depends directly on the patterns in the world, and the extent to which they have this quality themselves. Patterns which live, release this quality in us. But they release this quality in us, essentially because they have it in themselves.� The root of the idea is authenticity creates acceptance across various tastes and preferences within society. We can all relate to the patternology observed within a local context. The question to pose is with these existing patterns observed, do we disregard, repeat or reinterpret? As a society, we should disregard synthetic and shallow patterns, repeat and preserve tradition and classic patterns, and reinterpret common patterns through modern abstraction to view in a new context to pose new ideas.

Why repeat traditional patterns? Why not re-interpret patterns through modern abstraction?


EXAMINE

A Case Study of a Rapidly Growing Metropolis: Panama City Today cities are being studied and analyzed as a serious disruption and impact to the natural environment; this bank of knowledge is continuing to provide information to continue to plan to build for the future. Globally, we are populating as humans at an alarming rate and there is a housing shortage in many countries. To continue to support our citizens and provide basic amenities, I plan to use Panama City and its building economy as a platform to test new ideas to build with response to site and climate in an urban context while acknowledging the boundaries and limits of nature. The following will inform design decisions: Historical Growth & Context Streetscape & Infrastructure Patterns Local Patterns of Culture & Life

Expanding Skyline of Panama City. Center of Trade of Americas. Contrasted with Old Town Panama.

Return to the concrete jungle.


DESIGN PROPOSAL

Based on historic and contextual research, a proposed urban artisan center is suggested for Casco Viejo, a UNESCO world heritage site in Old Town Panama City. This barrio is currently under threat for losing its UNESCO status by a Panamanian government-supported highway proposal coupled with only 30% of the building stock having been renovated. Everyday life in Casco is rich in culture, art, and music reflecting a melting pot of indigineous, Panamanians, and Internationals who appreciate the character and spaces within this neighborhood. This design proposal reflects the argument to build modern architecture in a traditional context to exemplify compressed urbanism based on local patterns and context to sustain culture and preserve traditions within a modern urban city fabric

TRADITIONAL MEETS MODERN and a TRADITIONAL, COLONIAL URBAN FABRIC IS DISRUPTED TO ENGAGE MODERN LIFESTYLES


BARRIO

Santa Ana

Notable Plazas:

1 Plaza Bolivar 2 Plaza de Francia 3 Plaza de la Independencia 4 Plaza Tomas Herrerra

Casco Viejo 1 San Felipe

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3

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Casco Viejo Figure Ground


SITE

Notable Landmarks:

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7

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1 Palacio Bolivar 2 Antiguo Residencia para Estudiantes 3 Iglesia San Francisco de Asis 4 Plaza Bolivar 5 Ego & Tribe (Restaurantes) 6 Escuela Simon Bolivar 7 Hotel Columbia 8 Teatro National 9 Ministerio de Gobierno 10 Existing Parking Lot 11 Antiguo Club Union 12 Parque Bolivar 13 Manolo Caracol/ Indigo (Restaurantes)

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8 10 9 13

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The contextual case study: Casco Viejo. Old Town Panama My design proposal examines the built message architecture can potentially convey of cultural cohesion. The need to preserve identity & culture while sustaining the vibrant barrio life of Casco Viejo should reflect a design proposal that captures local patterns through a modern interpretation. Currently, only 30% of the buildings are renovated, but the daily life within the barrio is vibrant as seen through the art, food, nightlight & small businesses clustered throughout the neighborhood, whether interfacing with the street or the plaza. Traditions and cultures are necessary to preserve within the Panama lifestyle but as the large scale city modernizes, a built message should evolve under these ideals to stand amongst the larger scale urban fabric: whether examined on an aerial, nautical, auto, or pedestrian scale.

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LOCAL PATTERNS Patterns observed extend from historic context, commercial exchange and business, demographics, family, comidas typicos, art, music, performances, architecture, exterior and interior spaces. The patternology of Casco Viejo is captured through a colonial patterned “village” through mix of Enclosed Spaces and Courtyards while providing outdoor spaces for gathering, gallery spaces to display both contemporary and traditional art, studio spaces for art and local craft, and a MATL Center to stock materials to be repurposed from Casco Viejo’s future renovations and deconstruction. The Courtyard is used as a unifying element to tie sequence, spaces, program and activities together.

CONCEPTS ABSTRACTED Solid & Void Old & New Natural & Built Build & Create Through the built architecture, tectonics, and sequence of spaces, the story of the cultural context is told. Reflection on the past and acceptance of the modern future is embraced. Traditionalism and Modernism is bridged, connected, and layered through scales of patterns revealed in the architecture while acknowledging and sensitively responding to an urban edge on the Panama Bay.


URBAN PATTERNS



ABSTRACTION: URBAN FABRIC

A Study of Surrounding Courtyards and the Relationship of Solid & Void


ABSTRACTION: HISTORIC CONTEXT

18th c.

20th c.

proposed


CULTURAL PATTERNS

A study of indigineous exchange, traditional and contemporary art



ABSTRACTION: CULTURAL & ART



DESIGN PROCESS

Conceptual sketch models responding to context and patterns


Indigenous artisans

Panamanians & Ex-pats artists patrons of the art programs

Program evolved from contextual studies


DESIGN DIAGRAMS

connect

carve

void


public performance courtyard

main entry

visitor access to beach through breezeway sequence

Program Components Entrance. Exhibit. Exchange. Gather. Access Front Desk/Security Lobby/Gallery Retail Shop Terrace supporting Cafe & Food Vendors Material Salvage Center (supports repurpose & rebuilding) Live. Apartments supporting diverse households: Internationals: single artists/ couples (500 SF-1000 SF) Locals: nuclear families (800-1000SF)

private engaging courtyard

local beach access

Work. Private Studios Storefront Studios Shared Workshops Service. Laundry/Cleaning Storage Mechanical

working courtyard

Nature & Biosynergies. Public, Private and Craft Courtyard

one way vehicular traffic response drop off area for unloading materials

parti & approach


SITE SECTION

plaza de la independencia and palacio municipal

courtyard housing

courtyard housing


residential studios workshops ministerio de gobierno y justicia and teatro national

artist in residence private courtyard leisure substudios

breezeway beach patio

beach access

Contextual Blend with Casco Viejo Typologies


PLANS

Exhibit 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Traditional Artisan Gallery Event Room/Classroom Courtyard hosting outdoor and night activities & performances Reflection Hall Contemporary Art Gallery & Retail

Gather 6. 7. 8. 9.

Terrace Space for Eating and Drinking Restaurant with Exterior Patio Bodega Small Food Vendor (Coffee, IceCream, etc)

Create

10. Shared Artisan Workshops 11. - 16. Studios 17. Material Collection Center for local, salvaged materials Above - Second and Third Levels

Supplemental Living and Interior/Exterior Workspaces

Below - Beach Level

Substudios for darker environmental control Amenities for beach users: food stand, changing rooms and showers.

Street Level Plan


Second Level Plan

Third Level Plan

Roof Level Plan

Beach Level Plan


ELEVATIONS

Front Elevation


Rear Elevation


BUILDING SECTION. ROLE OF THE COURTYARD

Contextual Blend with Casco Viejo Typologies


SPATIAL MODEL. ROLE OF THE SOLID & VOID


INTERIORS. VIGNETTES

Outdoor. “Alleyway“ Locals Path to the Beach


Outdoor Rooms. Public vs Private Courtyard


BUILDING MODEL

Approach at Main Entry

Beach Access & SubStudios Below


PERSPECTIVES


EXTERIOR. WALL SECTION & ENCLOSURE MATERIALS rainwater catchment opportunities at roof roof overhang solar shading rain barrier suitable for Panama’s climate

Layers of Transparency as User moves towards water

sitecast concrete two way slab & beam structure stucco @ soffits “mola” patterned screen (solar shading at select areas) overable windows for passive cooling balcony access at 2nd and 3rd levels

LIVE STUDIO

Wood Structure at Roof

thermally broken balcony slab solar shading & rain barrier to provide for pedestrians

storefront views into workshops

WORKSHOP

Metal Panel Cladding with glazing

rubble wall & structural stem wall beyond

hardscape shaped to drain stormwater reinforced concrete grade beam integral pilecaps

Screens


DESIGN RESPONSE TO CLIMATE

HOT, HUMID STRATEGIES

SUN

WIND

Pasive Strategies for Panama, Panama. 8 degree Latitude

WATER


SUSTAINABLE DESIGN. PASSIVE & ACTIVE STRATEGIES

Rainwater directed to clay downspouts for evaporative cooling, aesthetics, and water conservation education

Solar Studies dictate program siting and response

Rainfall Catchment at Roof

Solar Shading at East and West Facades

Natural Ventilation through breezeways and alleyways to capture Easterly Winds off the Panama Bay

Cisterns sized for dry season storage Solar Heated Hot Water located at appropriate roof areas for immediate use

Human connection to Nature but appropriatedly sited for program and activities to respect potential wildlife (turtles, etc)


PASSIVE SYSTEMS. VENTILATION

Sustainable Design through Passive Strategies 8 degree latitude in northern hemisphere dominant winds from the east


PASSIVE & ACTIVE SYSTEMS. WATER


ACTIVE SYSTEM. GALLERY LIGHTING DESIGN at MAIN ENTRANCE


RESOURCES and CASE STUDIES. (to be added)



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