Xiaoyi Cao

EL Chorrillo And Panama Canal

El Chorrillo: Isolation, Chaos, Broken

El Chorrillo, once a thriving community for the workers building the Panama Canal, has fallen into a state of disrepair and disconnectedness since suffering significant damage during the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989. Despite its proximity to the expressway, the area remains isolated and disconnected, with high speeds acting as a barrier between the community and the coastline. As a result, El Chorrillo has become one of the most unstable areas in Panama.

To address these challenges, this project proposes the implementation of public activity plazas, urban farms, and tree plantings within the site to increase public space and enhance the community's connection to the city.  Aim to provide job opportunities for residents in the area, increase the industrial transfer of adjacent tourist areas, and break through the isolation of the community.

Project Description

Flowing Shelter

Flowing Shelter is a proposed architectural intervention located in the triangular area between El Chorrillo and popular tourist areas San Felipe and Cinta Costerav3, acting as a bridge between the three areas. The design features several roofs of varying shapes and free streamlines that are covered and surrounded by dense woods, floating on the edge of the bay. The core public facilities of the space include community performance stages, squares, community kitchens, markets, and urban farms. Clean energy factories will provide energy for community residents while supporting the material cycle of urban farms. Artificially elevated corridors will connect the community and school areas, extending to the shoreline and enhancing the connection with the sea.

The concept of the design is the integration of flowing space covered by the roof (Shelter), combining the surrounding woods and routes to increase the accessibility of the area and coastline, and providing a public space serving community residents. The deck is lifted out to cover the pier below, creating a port for fishing boats and sightseeing yachts and further enhancing the connection with the sea.

Through this project, aim to transform El Chorrillo into a vibrant and sustainable community, while creating a connection between the city and the coastline and providing a public space that serves the needs of the community.