Locally Sourced Cedar Shapes Sustainable Pavilion in Panama’s Coffee Highlands
Architecture practice Mallol has completed El Arca, a private timber pavilion in Nueva Suiza, Chiriquí, Panama. The project demonstrates how locally sourced materials and traditional craftsmanship can create architecture that responds directly to its environment. The residence sits more than 2,000 metres above sea level on the slopes of Volcán Barú, surrounded by cloud forest and the region’s renowned Geisha coffee plantations.
Cedar harvested directly from the property forms the pavilion’s primary structural and architectural material. By using timber from the site, the project avoids long supply chains and gives the building a material identity rooted in its landscape.
Timber Construction Driven by Local Craftsmanship
A single curved roof, inspired by the shape of a fallen leaf, shelters the entire pavilion. It protects the building from frequent rain and rapidly changing mountain weather while giving the project its distinctive profile.
The exposed cedar frame defines the interior. Designers used the timber for the structure, wall cladding, floors and ceilings, creating a consistent material palette throughout the building. Local craftsmen Amílcar and Abdiel Rodríguez carried out all timber construction and joinery by hand. Their knowledge of cedar shaped every structural connection and surface finish.
The team also selected cedar shingles for the exterior envelope to improve durability in the humid mountain climate. Locally quarried stone forms the terraces and pathways, reducing transport distances and reinforcing the regional character of the project.
Working With the Existing Landscape
Instead of reshaping the site, the architects designed the pavilion around its existing features. A large boulder discovered during construction became the centrepiece of an internal planted courtyard. Floor-to-ceiling glazing and cedar framing keep the rock visible from both inside the house and the riverside.
The surrounding landscape follows the same principle. Native planting blends with cultivated gardens, while the adjacent mountain river flows undisturbed along the edge of the property. Its sound creates a constant connection between the interior and the surrounding landscape.
Keeping Materials and Skills Local
El Arca highlights the value of regional sourcing in contemporary architecture. The project combines cedar harvested on-site, locally extracted stone and construction carried out entirely by craftsmen from the Chiriquí highlands. This approach reduced transport, supported the local economy and preserved valuable timber construction skills within the community.
The completed residence shows how careful material selection, local expertise and respect for the existing landscape can create architecture with a lower environmental impact and a strong sense of place.
Source: Mallol (via v2com)
Photos: Pepe Calavera / Alfredo Maiquez