Trez Brazos Valley

Republic of Panama ~ Central America

Kalu Yala is a sustainable town being built in the mountainous jungle outside of Panama City. The building site, located in the Tres Brazos Valley, is to become one of the few environmentally sustainable communities in the world, with aspirations to model a smarter, more intentional approach to living. Kalu Yala will be developed in the mountains about 45 minutes from the city.

Jimmy Stice is the CEO of Kalu Yala.  Though not yet under construction, much of the town has been designed by Moule and Polyzoides Architects and Urbanists based in Pasadena, CA.; an architectural firm highly influenced by the New Urbanism movement.

Since Summer 2010, the Kalu Yala’s student internship program has provided programs in livestock, sustainable agriculture, designing & building, biology, business, community outreach, education, outdoor recreation and anthropology.  As of Spring 2013, the program included students from 39 states, 13 countries and 92 colleges . It is a pay-for opportunity similar to study abroad but with a much more individually tailored program.

The Kalu Yala Internship program is a growing platform designed to engender a community culture before Kalu Yala is built. The program essentially brings students and young professionals from around the world to a place where they can create a personal life-course while contributing to the creation of a holistic, sustainable village.

 

Concept Drawing

Architectural Rendering of Kalu Yala’s Vision of Community.

 

Two Rivers

Clay Chapman at the Confluence of the Pacora and Iguana Rivers in the Trez Brazos Valley.

 

Kalu Yala

A Burgeoning Community

Whether organic gardening or hands-on-building, the spirit of enthusiasm among the interns at Kalu Yala is encouraging.  Similar to our experience with the students of ‘The American College of Building Arts’ in Charleston, there is a significant number of young people seeking purpose and identity by pushing for a back-to-basics approach to living. In addition, all of the students seem to be in the process of becoming bilingual (if not already) as they interact regularly with the local tribal population.  At sunset one evening in the valley, Clay spoke to the interns about HFA values and how desperately the world needs the younger generations to, “… take up the mantel!”

 

World Wildlife Fund Headquarters, La Ciudad de Saber ~ Republic of Panama

HFA’s Clay Chapman with WWF Director Rodrigo Donaldi and Kalu Yala’s James Stice and Alix Tingle

James and Clay spoke back to back during the event and attended a catered reception after the lectures where specifics about the mutual interest of both the Environment and Forest Industry were discussed in greater detail.

 

HFA Concept Shared at World Wildlife Fund/Forest and Trade Network Event

City of Knowledge ~ Republic of Panama

Being asked to speak about the ‘Hope for Architecture’ concept at a World Wildlife Fund event conveys how broadly the implications of permanent building reach.  Residential construction obviously composes the lion’s share of the timber industry market, and as the WWF collaborates with the Forest and Trade Network, it’s important to identify better practices for more sustainable uses of resources.  Building houses that will last as much as 10 times longer than current, conventional building practices speaks to this.

 

A Visit to ‘CoastEco Timber’ ~ Forest Resources

Reclaimed . Rescued . Rediscovered

The images above depict several stages involved with harvesting timber from the flooded valleys of Lakes Gatun (created in 1913) and Bayano (created in 1976).  For a 100 years trees have been standing at the bottom of Lago Gatun slowly curing to provide a remarkably stable stock of timber material. Small barges are utilized for the initial underwater recovery of the timber. Improvised thatched ranchos shade deckhands and divers from the intense tropical sun during this labor intensive process.  Divers submerge as deep as 90 feet to cut the standing trees with pneumatic chainsaws.  Floatation bags are inflated to surface the timbers which are then relocated to an extraction point.  Individual timbers are winched up along a landing where there’re cut to length and stacked for transport. Once logs arrive to the mill, they are then sawn dimensionally to market standards. Some of this furniture grade material is then displayed at the CoastEco Wood Studio in Panama City.

 

Kalu Yala Collaborative Team with CoastEco Timber Affiliates

A Field Trip to CoastEco Timber Operation’s Primary Sawmill

CoastEco has the rights to the underwater harvesting of a 1,147 sq. hectare concession of old growth exotic hardwoods submerged in Lake Gatun. When Teddy Roosevelt dammed the Chagres River in 1913 to create what is now the Panama Canal, a jungle the size of Montreal, Canada  was flooded to created Lake Gatun. This is the area in which CoastEco is salvaging timbers.

 

‘Arcillas de Chitre’ ~ Panamanian Brick Manufacturing Facility

Panama’s Largest Manufacturer of Clay Based Masonry Materials

This was another important stop during our Central American journey.  We toured the entire Arcilla brick making facility and saw a number of different kinds of material in process ranging from terra-cotta roof tiles to basic cored and solid commons.  At one point Chapman asked to participate in the brick making process and jumped in at the molding table, later saying, “I couldn’t help myself.”  The less mechanized approach to manufacturing was an enjoyable experience.  It’s difficult to live and breath a building philosophy immersed in process and not appreciate it when that same nature is expressed in the actual making of the building materials themselves.

 

Native ‘Guna’ Village

Lake Gutan

Note the numerous dugout canoes (some out fitted with small outboard motors), and the livestock pen with loading-shoot at the right of frame.  As indigenous peoples all over the world begin to assimilate towards modern lifestyles, there is a general attitude of magnanimous obligation amoung developed countries. Rather than rescuing tribal people from a preconceived state of poverty, should we not do more to identify with those valuable attributes of their world and do more to meet with them in the middle?  Wouldn’t this be a better answer for a truly sustainable future?  Kalu Yala is embracing this possibility.

 

A Day at the Beach

Catching Our Breath

We took a one day reprieve from the primary goals of our travel and drove out to Pedasi, a fishing village situated on the south-eastern tip of the Azuero Peninsula on Panama’s Pacific coast.  Here we stayed in the Villas of Posada Los Distillederos, a boutique resort located 10 minutes or so outside of Pedasi directly on the beach and always within earshot of the surf.  We also spent an afternoon at the popular surf beach ‘Playa Venao’ where consistent 4 to 5 footers broke away in long clean pipes for more than 300 yards at times.  ”One of the best surf destinations I’ve ever visited.”

 

A Day of Design

George Moreno Architects & Urbanist Studios

New Urbanist Developer/James Stice, Artisan/Designer Clay Chapman and Architect/Lina Samudio Diaz working through structural design options for one of Kalu Yala’s primary buildings.  There is a palpable energy when people, who have committed their lives to similar interest, come together in force.  In my experience, the desire to harmonize with this creative spirit and contribute to the greater vision far out weighs the singular ego.  In reflection, to create a ‘societal community’ without the broad insights of a ‘creative community’ is inherently problematic.

 

The Art of Hearing

The Essence of a ‘Charrette’ in Three Images

 

Animations of Collaborative Design

Clay Chapman and James Stice Expounding on Various Ideas for the Kalu Yala Vision.

To date, there are 9 main structures that will define the public commons of the community.  These buildings will compose some 50,000 square feet of  space.  Constructions will be based on a fresh interpretation of traditional building mediums such as timber framing and structural masonry.

 

The Old Quarter of Panama City

Founded in 1519 by Spanish Conquistador Pedro Arias Dávila

We stayed in the Old Quarter’s ‘Canal House’ for the last three nights of the trip.  The recently restored 1893 hotel has pleasant accommodations and a very helpful staff when it comes to making your way around the city.  This historic district is currently undergoing a massive restoration.  We were pleased to see many multi-century, structural masonry buildings being handled with utmost care during this lengthy revitalization.

 

Identity

Architecture Defines the Character and Culture of a People

As 101 as the statement above may be, think of the implications concerning the character and culture of a people resigned to disposable building.  Left Image: Wonderfully restored multi-century structural stone masonry townhouse close to the centrally located Bolivar Plaza.  Right Image: Simon Bolivar Monument in the fore with St. Francisco of Assisi Church/Casco Antiguo.

 

Remnants of a Still Living Tradition ~ Performing Artifacts!

Clay Chapman with Structural Mass Wall in Background Resembling Masonry Assemblies of Ancient Rome.

The trip to Panama was a wonderful experience.  We have high hopes for Kalu Yala as ground breaking comes into sight.  This is what the world needs — fresh approaches to our built environment in the broader context of community, environment and purposeful, healthy living.  Approaching architecture as ‘individual buildings’ with no accountability for surrounding interactions is no longer a reasonable MO in the challenging context of our world today.  We must shore up the future for those inevitable difficulties our children will be facing.

HFA was recently asked to participate in ‘The Masters of the Building Arts Festival’ in Charleston, South Carolina.  As stated in the previous post, the College was established in the aftermath of hurricane Hugo when it was realized there were too few artisan-craftsman left in the Deep South to lead the restorative recovery.  As HFA continues it’s campaign against disposable building, organizations like ACBA will be important allies for bringing awareness and education to the public and implementing progressive building solutions.

 

Steve Mouzon, author of Original Green, elaborating on the history of the Corinthian Capital.  Steve gave a lively lecture that in large part provided explanation for the reasons vernacular architecture evolves the way it does.  Informed by centuries of practical experience, regional weather patterns and indigenous materials, vernacular is often a guidebook for survival.

 

Clay Chapman, HFA founder and spokesman, sharing the ‘affordable permanence’ concept with ACBA affiliates.  Clay discussed the Columbus Field Test in depth and spoke particularly to the students about his fine arts back ground;  how this was critical for his growth as a design/build artisan.  The HFA program is only a year old with over 800 followers from 20 different countries, but the degree to which the concept generally resonates with ‘thinking’ people was even more amplified with the ACBA audience — for good reason.  This is the future!

 

Original Green’s Steve Mouzon and HFA’s Clay Chapman sharing a moment before Steve’s ACBA lecture.  ”So good to cross paths with Steve and Wanda — how often do we get to be friends with our heroes?”

 

There were many activities during the festival with demonstrations and exhibitions.  Despite the less than clement weather, there was a great turn out and we recommend attending this annual event whole heartedly.  Child friendly btw.

 

 

 

Friday evening, the night before the ‘Masters of the Building Arts Festival,’ the ACBA hosted a cocktail party at the residence of a local supporter in downtown Charleston.  Despite the unseasonably chilly night, Spring was in the air as folks arrived just in time for the luminaries to take effect. Clay and Katie Chapman stayed with Professor Jordan Finch and family at their Folly Beach home, and there was time for a photo op by the water before heading into town.

 

Three Star General and College President, Colby Broadwater spoke at the event giving a brief account of the institution’s promising financial status and the hopeful acquisition of a new historic property that will expand the campus.  The school was founded after the devastation of hurricane Hugo; in the aftermath of the storm, it became all too clear there were not enough artisan craftsmen left in the Deep South forcing the solicitation of European labor to recover.  The two Southern gentlemen above are inspecting an antique, architectural water color just auctioned for fundraising.

 

There was such a wonderful mix of culture and varying walks of life at the party.  To the left, Clay Chapman in the company of artisan historians and fellow ACBA speakers, Ina Brosseau and Allen Marx.  Ina is a sprightly 85 year old accompanied by her co-author husband Allen who at 90 rivaled anyone in the room for interesting and energetic conversation.  Of course a pianist was there rocking the Dave Brubeck classics.  To the right, Katie and Clay Chapman visiting with Jordan Finch.

 

 

 

The HFA Model is a versatile alternative building solution, but for it to be viable, conventional building elements must be implemented whenever such applications prove to be in alignment with design goals.  For example, the Adams House will be outfitted with Pro Series, Ply Gem Windows which are a higher echelon ‘builder grade’ window with good energy ratings and lifecycle — lifecycle which is all the more improved by virtue of windows being seated within the depth of the 12 inch mass walls which offer substantially more protection than a typical wall face application.

 

Adapting structural masonry openings to receive stock, double hung windows is one of many cross platform transitions occurring between the HFA Model and existing, standardized building products and practices.  In the images shown here, we see  5/4 inch Yellow Pine nailers attached with full shank, 3/8 x 3 inch, Red Head fasteners to the window opening masonry.  The 5/4 material allows ample depth for counter sinking while preserving plenty of material for proper holding.

This dimensional lumber size is also convenient when calculating the masonry opening required for a stock window. Because the 5/4 inch call size represents an actual 1 inch dressing,  the masonry dimension can be defined by simply adding two inches to the typical rough opening width.  The rough opening height remains the same. While applying the 5/4 nailer material to the mass masonry, a layer of ‘sill seal’ foam is placed between the two and synched tightly to create an airtight gasket.

 

We’ve talked a lot about modern technology as an enabler for building better, longer lasting structures.  More often than not, this consideration is association with cranes and excavators and electrical power tools, but the advantages are broader.  The images above and below show what are essentially wooden bricks laid within the mass walls during construction to serve as nailers for door and window jambs.  This involved the careful selection of very tight grained blocks of wood that were probably soaked in oil or naturally ripe with resin.  Of course this required a great deal of cautious consideration which slowed production during the overall masonry massing process.

 

Modern fasteners, such as the ’3/8″ Red Heads’ mentioned earlier, are incredibly expedient offering recourse for retrofit applications during initial construction or restorations.  There is, though, a wonderful sensibility where the wooden blocks are concerned, and I very much appreciate the ingenuity at work there — this was obviously an effective and long lasting technique.  But in an attempt to reintroduce firmness and staying power to our built environment, we must seize every opportunity at our disposal to minimize labor cost and push production towards an affordable price point.  Technology provides this opportunity and it is important to remember, we are not creating replicas.  We are not distracted by, or wrapped up in recreating the past, but have bent ourselves to systemize the construction of buildings with multi-century life-cycles; buildings informed by tradition and inspired by the better spirits of our age to provide true significance to our identity, architectural presence and history.

 

Another example of modern fasteners at work.  These hurricane ties are a great solution for securing rafters even in a structural masonry scenario.  Normally, rafters would have been secured by placing nails or wooded pegs through the wood material in those areas to be massed around with masonry.  Of course this makes the later restoration of the roof frame much more intrusive and destructive to the original structure — ramping up cost and preemptively discouraging preservation.

 

 

The iconic ‘hex sign’ associated with Early American barn ornamentation was a rich subject of interpretation while designing and building horse stables.  Rather than simply hand painting a circular design of quilt-ish patterns, I found this to be a wonderful motif worthy of greater elaboration.  Studies above reveal the playful evolution of the design which ultimately became a 20 inch diameter bronze hall mark inlay.

 

Lost Wax process.  A positive of the sculpture has been carved in bees wax.  Here a torch is being waved over the wax to melt away small inconsistencies in the finished surface.  A plaster cast was then rammed on top of the wax and (after curing) placed into a kiln.  A negative of the sculpture was created by melting the wax away.  Moultin bronze was later poured into the mold to replace what was once bees wax.

 

The finished bronze inlay that marks the entrance to the Vainright stable.

 

Examples of subsequent hallmarks using the same bronze relief.

 

Various views of the Vainright Stable.

 

Vainright Stable during framing.

 

Various views of the Vainright Stable cupola.  From the ridge of the building, the cupola stands over 10 feet tall.  The weathervane was also custom made for the project.