Social and Cultural Project: Casa Montaña, Self-Build Homes for Tropical Rainforest Communities
This project is part of a global relocation initiative for two indigenous communities in the Panama Rainforest. The masterplans for both villages were designed, including three types of homes, a school, and a community center for each settlement. The Casa Montaña is one of the three housing typologies created to improve the quality of life in a community with a life expectancy of only 25 years. This self-build and self-sufficient housing solution is tailored for tropical rainforest environments, focusing on sustainability, ease of construction, and expandability.
Self-Build and Self-Sufficient Housing
The Casa Montaña is a simple to assemble home, based on a 2.44 × 2.44 cm modular grid. The structure is entirely made of wood, allowing for easy manual transportation and quick assembly thanks to its structural joints. The design uses small wooden sections, ensuring the structural rigidity while keeping the components light and easy to transport.
A key advantage of this project is its expandability. The house can grow as the family expands, allowing for easy addition of rooms over time due to its modular design.
Two-Level Design and Elevated for Safety
The Casa Montaña is organized into two levels. The lower level features the common area, connected to the kitchen and bathrooms, while the upper level contains the bedrooms. The two levels are connected by an internal staircase, ensuring separation of the living spaces.
Additionally, the house is elevated 1 meter off the ground to protect the living space from heavy rains and potential floodwaters, while also deterring dangerous animals common in the rainforest. The design promotes cross ventilation, with openings in the bedrooms and the roof structure helping to keep the house cool in tropical climates.
Ecological and Sustainable Solutions
The Casa Montaña incorporates eco-friendly installations, including solar panels for electricity, a rainwater collection system, and a biodigester for waste management. These features make the home self-sufficient and environmentally responsible, aligning with the sustainability goals of the global relocation project