Completed
Bastimentos island
A house Arthur designed and built on Bastimentos island, Panama. An owner-builder project, shaped by its island setting.
A builder’s perspective · Panama
Building superb houses in tropics.
Good homes begin with a clear understanding of place. Explore real projects, the choices behind them, and the work of turning an idea into a house.
Explore the projects ↗Designed for a place.
Built for a life.
Built for a life.
New · The long view
How people built homes across the tropics
Travel through the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Pacific to discover different building traditions, how they changed, and what today’s homeowners can learn.
Read the illustrated feature ↗The project journal
Built. Building.
Still taking shape.
In progress
El Espino
A current build. Follow the project as its design and construction story is documented.
Planned
Los Planes
A second house is planned for a 1,500 m² finca. The land area is not the proposed house size.
Experience, beyond one discipline
A whole-house perspective.
Arthur’s experience spans custom home design and construction, masonry, stucco and steel detailing, with work in the Chicago area and Panama.
Meet the builder ↗Before you build
Start with better questions.
The site, the weather and the way you want to live should shape the brief before a floor plan does.
Read the planning notes ↗Practical guides · Research first
Make the next decision clearer.
How to Compare House-Building Quotes in Panama
Compare Panama house-building proposals by floor area, scope, exclusions and allowances before judging the price per square metre.
Choosing a Roof for a Tropical House
Compare tropical roof options by heat, rain, condensation, maintenance and documented product limits, not just the roofing sheet price.
Humidity in a Tropical House: What to Measure and What to Ask
Understand indoor humidity, record useful observations and prepare better questions about moisture in a tropical house without guessing at the cause.
Practical guides · Research first
Start with the right design questions.
Plan a Tropical House for Shade, Breezes and Everyday Use
Build a room-by-room cooling brief for a tropical house, coordinating shade, natural ventilation and air-conditioned spaces before construction.
Planning an Earthquake-Resistant House in Panama
Prepare questions about the site, structural design, local requirements and construction records before building an earthquake-resistant house in Panama.
Practical guides · Research first
Keep the house knowledge with the house.
The House Handover File: Records You Will Want After Moving In
Organize a practical house handover file with equipment records, operating instructions, outstanding items and maintenance responsibilities.
Practical guides · Research first
Check the system, not just the promise.
Termite Protection: What to Verify Before Building
Understand the limits of termite shields, check product claims and prepare a documented prevention and inspection plan with a qualified local professional.
Planning Rainwater Collection: Quantity, Use and Water Quality
Separate rainwater collection volume from water quality, compare illustrative rainfall volumes and plan testing, materials and maintenance for the intended use.