Travel: Panama City Modern Architecture

One of the perks of working at Home Resource is that we get to work with clients who live in areas that we have never traveled to and are not very familiar with.  In addition to the regular business transaction, we are transported into an intriguing cultural journey, learning about our clients’ cities and maybe eventually crossing them out of our travel destinations list. Last year, we were very fortunate to work with a client in Panama City, Panama.  Throughout this experience, we learned that there is certainly more to Panama City than the canal!

The completion of the canal has brought great wealth to the country, which has in turn led to architectural advancement in design and construction. Modern architectural styles have entered the urban fabric in Panama, specifically in Panama City.  “In 2011, 10 buildings over 200 meters were built, more than any other city in the world and double the number of tall buildings completed in the rest of the Americas.” Also, many developers are looking for efficient building designs that maximizes their profits making sustainable design efforts a requirement for many projects Panama City is filled with amazing modern architecture. The juxtaposition of architectural design in Panama contributes to the richness of culture Kathy and I visited Panama City in December and here are our top four unique architectural designs:

Biomuseo

One of the most recent notable modern installations in Panama is the Biomuseo by Gehry Partners.  It is Frank Gehry’s first building in Latin America (an international renowned, Pritzker Prize–winning architect) Designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Biomuseo is an outstanding building in Panama City. It is Gehry’s only work in Latin America and the tropics, and the building was designed to represent the story of the Isthmus of Panama. Emerging from the waters, this narrow country became the bridge uniting two continents, thus splitting the ocean in two, and transforming the biodiversity of the earth forever. The Biomuseo is made up of eight permanent galleries designed by Bruce Man Design, a public hall, a space for temporary exhibitions, a shop, a cafe, and a botanical park outside. A design of colorful, metal-plated canopies layered over concrete columns, it will hold eight galleries and educate visitors on Panama’s biological unique qualities and global impact.

El Tornillo

Panama City has a rather dense financial district made up of a multitude of ultramodern glass skyscrapers and towers. The F&F Tower, also known as El Tornillo (“The Screw”), stands out as one of the most remarkable buildings on the city’s impressive skyline. The building’s shape is an innovation in Latin American architecture, and the tower was one of the winners of the Emporis Skyscraper Award in 2011.

Trump International Hotel and Tower

First a disclaimer- This building is mentioned, not because of politics but purely because of architecture. This is a 70-story mixed-use waterfront condominium tower. The project was designed by Colombian architects Arias - Serna - Saravia S.A. The building is situated on a beachfront lot with views of the Pacific Ocean and Panama Bay, in Punta Pacifica. The hotel opened on July 6, 2011. In November 2012, Sun International announced plans to open a 75,000-square-foot casino at the property. The casino in mid-2014.

Bicsa Financial Center

The 68-story skyscraper in Avenida Balboa, Panama City. Standing 267 m (876 ft) tall, it is the third tallest building in Panama City and fourth in Latin America.
Bicsa Financial Center is also known for its distinctive glass gold color.

As you soak in the beauty of Panama City's modern architecture, let these design inspirations infuse your space with a touch of contemporary elegance. Elevate your home with unique furniture pieces! Explore our Home Resource collection and transform your living spaces into reflections of modern sophistication. Contact us now!