On  the shores of Gatun Lake, overlooking the Panama Canal, is located the  proposed set of emergency housing "Entretejido Urbano", intended for the  temporary shelter of 277 families who require a housing solution in the  event of an accident.

In  Panama we have a huge availability of maritime containers to be reused.  The containers are rectangular metal modules designed to support tons of  weight and the worst weather conditions, they can be stacked, they cost  relatively little and require simple foundations since they already  have their own structural system, and they can be transported without  problem by land or sea. The reuse of containers for residential use and  wooden pallets for use in windows and other finishes are part of a  basic, economic and sustainable materiality with which it seeks to offer  dignity and safety to the inhabitants of the project.

Taking  into account the advantages of containers as an alternative for  bio-climatic architectural design, the passive conditioning of the  facades is implemented within the project by means of movable vertical  openings, thus allowing cross ventilation and protection from the rain.  The project also includes the collection of rainwater. Inside, each  module is covered with 500 mm cork on walls and floors, which results in  a very effective thermal and acoustic insulation.

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Easily  accessible by land, by sea, and close to a train station, the chosen  terrain has vast surrounding vegetation. In it, a composition inspired  by the ancient cities of the Middle East is projected. Organizing  modules of 20 'and 40' marine containers superimposed and out of phase  with each other, generating an interweaving of housing with public and  private spaces around a central patio where communal spaces are  generated.

In  the central courtyard, very marked horizontal circulations are  generated throughout the housing modules and are integrated with each  other through green spaces and water channels. On the second level,  circulation results from the offset of the lower containers in relation  to the upper ones.

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This  project participated in the IX José Miguel Aroztegui Biennial in São  Paulo, Brazil, where it was awarded an Honorable Mention. The project  was developed by architecture students María Alejandra Icaza and  Anagabriel Quiroga, who were in their third year of studies. Advised by  the Colombian Professor and Architect, Sergio Trujillo, who with his  work experience and various awards in international architecture  competitions, provided his knowledge to the university students.