El Arca: A TIMBER PAVILION IN PANAMA’S COFFEE HIGHLANDS, WHERE HANDCRAFTED CONSTRUCTION AND CULTIVATED LANDSCAPE ENCOUNTER THE CLOUD FOREST OF VOLCÁN BARÚ
Architect Projects
El Arca is a private residential pavilion designed by Mallol in Nueva Suiza, Chiriquí, Panama. The site is located at over 2,000 meters above sea level on the slopes of Volcán Barú, in a highland region celebrated for the production of Geisha coffee—one of the most exclusive specialty coffee varieties in the world, which thrives directly in this territory. The building was completed in close collaboration with local craftsmen Amílcar and Abdiel Rodríguez, whose technical expertise in timber construction shaped the project from structural framing to finish. The pavilion is organized beneath a single curved roof that spans the entire program. This overarching structure provides continuous shelter from the frequent rain and shifting climate of
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the highlands, establishing a strong architectural presence within the landscape. Its profile draws inspiration from the form of a dry leaf fallen to the ground—a reference that gives the project its name (The Ark) and defines the distinct curved arc visible through the surrounding forest canopy. Living, dining, and resting areas are arranged on a single level beneath it, oriented toward the gardens, the river, and the surrounding cloud forest. The interior volume is defined by the exposed timber structure above, which remains visible throughout, reading as both the building’s skeleton and its primary surface. All primary materials were sourced from the site and its immediate territory. The structural frame, wall cladding, floors, and exposed ceiling are constructed in