Altos Escondidos- Sora, Cocle Province
Panama's first fully "Green" residential community that will be internationally LEED certified, is located on 69 hectares with views of Gatun Lake and Chame Bay from the hilltop site kissed by clouds and just 1.5 hours from Panama City. The Continental Divide passes through the southern corner of the site 1800 ft above sea level. The tropical location in the mountains 8 degrees north of the Equator has lush vegetation and cooling breezes.
This ecological haven of 75 homes will be exemplar of environmentally sensitive design. When completed, the project will meet the highest standards of LEED, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, the premier environmental design rating system established by the US Green Building Council.
The master plan and the model homes were designed by critically acclaimed Dr. Raj Barr, who has a doctorate in sustainable green architecture and was the President of the AIA ( American Institute of Architects ) in 1997/1998. The architect has designed green projects around the globe.
As Panama City intensifies in density and becomes more of a super city, we will the perfect antidote. We will intensify the close-to-nature experience, making the countryside even more country. The project will step lightly on the land, with minimal cut and fill, and will replace any tree removed with at least two native species trees.
The extensive woods on steep slopes will be largely preserved, with zip lines and canopy walks, supported by a 16 room country inn at the entrance to the complex. This tourist attraction will qualify the project for Law 8 benefits.
Nature trails and bridle paths will meander through the gated community and evoke memories of the adjacent Camino Real. Home sites will be nestled in the woods, with plant buffers for privacy. Access roads will be minimal, a main artery looping through the site with feeder cul-de-sacs leading to clusters of no more than three home sites each.
