Regenerative development

Loma Escondida

Client

Green Ace

Surface(m2)

40 000

Location

Playa Venao, Panama

Status

Concept design

TERRITORY + LANDSCAPE + ARCHITECTURE

Nestled in a valley where the jungle meets the sea, this 4-ha development combines regenerative practices with an ambiance of tropical tranquility. The project features light, locally-inspired houses integrated harmoniously into the hillsides, enveloped by the lush vegetation that contributes to reforestation and biodiversity restoration. The common areas promote community connection through design and shared services, making Loma Escondida the hidden pearl of Playa Venao that honors the diversity of the environment.

Península el Azuero:
off the Pan-American highway

Azuero peninsula, one of the oldest inhabited places in Panama. Off the Pan-American highway, yet well reachable, it remains a secluded paradise. It is divided in two coastal regions (West and East) by the sierras that extend from the Cordillera Central.

The project is located nearby the beach town Playa Venao (Pedasi district, province of Los Santos) From Panama city it is a 4-5 hour ride. The main route goes along the Eastern coast of the peninsula until Pedasi. From there on, there is a secondary coastal route until Playa Venao.

Like fireflies on the hillside, Loma Escondida radiates transparency and simplicity disguised in the surrounding green.

Light constructions, thoughtfully oriented for natural ventilation, integrated into the hillside amidst lush vegetation, offering captivating vistas of the “cerros”.

Between a dream
and a dream

a venao (Deer) roams the beach, like A messenger of the lush mountains on the open shore. Dark earth yields to vibrant green, later to become canopy. In this clearing of soft contrasts and delicate shine, the magic of the undiscovered IS discovered time and time again. playa venao, A dream between DREAMS, where creatures speak to each other.

“Forests protected the soil and natural springs. Once the forest was gone, the soil lay bare against winds, sun and rain. As the soil was washed off, all goodness disappeared and thus the earth is rendered no longer fit for the habitation of man.”

excerpt from “the invention of nature. the adventures of alexander von humboldt” by andrea wulf

Site plan – Site plan – The plot (lots 3 and 4) is organized in two parts, divided by the public area. This public area consists of a restaurant, commercial area and workshop/nursery, and lies at the entrance of the lot from the eco-hiking-route that goes to Playa Venao via Quebrada Balsos. The 27 houses spread over the plot are organized into five typologies:

basic cabins for artists and researchers in-residence,
tiny houses for short stay rental to tourists or temporary expats,
‘tree’ houses of 3 stacked units each as an affordable living option,
clusters of 2 units with a shared kitchen,
larger villa type houses as a more luxurious option.

basic cabins for artists and researchers in-residence,
tiny houses for short stay rental to tourists or temporary expats,
‘tree’ houses of 3 stacked units each as an affordable living option,
clusters of 2 units with a shared kitchen,
larger villa type houses as a more luxurious option.

Natural and human resources:
a regenerative tale

Playa Venao is becoming a surf and sport fishing hub, attracting a growing expat community and raising awareness among locals about alternative ways the land could be sustainably used. A regenerative plan aligned with the UNited nations sustainability goals can boost the economy, promote inclusivity, and protect the environment. Amid endangered species like Geoffroy’s spider monkey, conservation and restoration efforts are imperative, making Playa Venao a potential model for holistic regeneration, uniting nature and community.

The plot's location and northeast orientation poses a challenge in connecting it to Playa Venao, which is key for the project’s economical feasibility. The proposed Quebrada Balsos hiking and bike path solves this by directly linking the plot with Playa Venao.

The tiny houses are meant as short-stay rentals. Minimalist structures resting on the hill serve this purpose well.

Villas and residences with shared spaces could be clustered. Supported by heavier structures at the base, the light upper modules crawl up the hill.

The restaurant, workshop/nursery and commercial areas all have a double height for improved ventilation while creating singular spaces for gathering and joy of the slow life.