Inventory and Cataloguing of Traditional Houses in the Province of Veraguas, Panama

Abstract

[EN] The Republic of Panama possesses a valuable architectural heritage that has evolved over time, shaping a unique identity in each region. In Veraguas, one of the provinces with the richest history and cultural significance, vernacular architecture has been a fundamental pillar in defining lifestyles and community organization. However, in recent decades, globalization has driven the replacement of traditional materials and construction techniques with industrial methods and standardized foreign designs, accelerating the disappearance of traditional typologies. This research aimed to identify, analyse, and document traditional housing in the province of Veraguas during the years 2021 and 2022, with the objective of contributing to the preservation of Panama’s architectural heritage through a detailed record of its characteristics and current state. To achieve this, rural communities where these dwellings were still present were identified, followed by in situ visits to analyse and document their construction methods, state of conservation, materials, legal status, and spatial organization. Interviews were conducted with homeowners and local builders, enabling the collection of information on construction techniques, historical context, and the evolution of these dwellings over time. This approach integrated direct observation with local knowledge, allowing for a comparative analysis of architectural patterns and their relationship with the socio-cultural environment. As a result, the inventory documented a total of 30 dwellings located in five districts of the province of Veraguas. Understanding the key characteristics of these typologies, the social factors that influenced their construction, and the way they responded to their immediate environment provides valuable insights for assessing their advantages over contemporary housing models, opening new possibilities for the improvement of architectural practices.