A word from the architect:
Bocas del Toro is one of the few “wooden towns” left in the Republic of Panama. The culture and local construction have qualities common to the coastal Caribbean people and their architecture. In recent years the international tourism industry has laid its eyes in Bocas, which has promoted the development of small scale hotels and vacation resorts.
The Project consists of eight condo hotel suites and one commercial studio in downtown Bocas del Toro. The building is located on the waterfront, with an ideal East-West orientation.
The building is laid out in three principal structures. The first one occupies the width of the lot to the street side and the other two are oriented toward the sea. The first holds the reception desk, a commercial space and two suites in the upper levels. The two waterfront buildings hold another six one-bedroom suites with sea view.
In between the street and waterfront buildings is a courtyard with a glass roof that allows sun light to filter down to where the breakfast area, common kitchen and laundry facilities are located. This area is also designed to benefit from the ocean breezes that cool the island.
The central hallways between the two waterfront buildings have sea views and allow sunlight and the sea breeze to flow inside the building. The roof over the hallways has been designed to encourage outflow of heated air, improve convection cycles, and to improve ventilation and comfort in the inner spaces.
The building is two-tone, as the locals usually paint their buildings. Light colors of walls and roof minimize heat gain for solar incidence. The overhangs at the perimerter of all levels protect the building’s skin from the strong tropical sun and intense rains. Window shutters are an extra protection for the openings and shade the inside while allowing excellent ventilation.
The project’s intention is that it will blend in the image of the city, with the use of porches and balconies, wood louvered doors, steeped roofs, attractive railings, and so forth, that give Bocas del Toro it’s local flavor.
Linette Yanisselly, Master Architect
RESUME
Education
Isthmus School of Architecture, Panama and the University of Colima, Mexico
2004 - "Bioclimatic Architecture" - Masters Degree
2003 - Design and bioclimatic calculations of architectural elements - Postgraduate Course
2002 - Criteria and Strategies For Passive Climatization - Postgraduate Course
2002 - Bioclimatic Design of Open Spaces - Postgraduate Course
Isthmus School of Architecture, Panama
2001 - Enviromental Impact of Buildings - Specialized Course
Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya, School of Architecture, Barcelona, Spain
1999 - III International Design Workshop directed by and about John Hejduk
1999 - "Architecture, Criticism and Design" Master Degree
1998 - "Design of Efimeral architecture" - Postgraduate Degree
1997 - "Interior And Interiors" - Postgraduate Course
University of Panama, School of Architecture, Panama
1993 - 1995 - Thesis Project "Architecture for a University Campus"
1988 - 1993 - Complete studies of Architecture
Professional Practice
Private architectural practice since 1996 in various architectural projects, from site analysis to conceptual design and development of construction plans for single family, institutional, hotel and office structures.
Specializing in architectural design that is based on working with the climate, site qualities and cultural conditions of each property. Application of bioclimatic strategies results in projects that are sensible and in touch with their surroundings, natural lighting, ventilation, and energy requirements.
Participated in the first TAP 2002 ( Panama's Triennial Architecture Exhibit) with the project: "Center for Victim's Assistance for the Public Ministry".
Developed numerous master plans and architectural designs for tropical and bioclimatic architecture in the Bocas del Toro area.
Design of new installations, remodeling, consulting and master plan proposals for the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute based in Panama.
Teacher and judge of architectural design workshops for graduate students at Isthmus School of Architecture, Ciudad del Saber, Panama City.
Attended and participated in several conferences on principles of bioclimatic architecture.
