Samudio Arquitectos - Panama Architects, Architecture, Engineering, Urban planning, Town Planning, Architectural Design

Growing demand for Panama as a tourist destination and airline hub has steadily increased in recent years, resulting in a continual rise in air traffic through Tocumen International, the country's largest airport. In response, Tocumen executes in 2003 its modernization plan, which starts off with the expansion and refurbishing of its main terminal building. Upon the international notice to tender, Samudio Arquitectos becomes interested in the project and through sister company CGC partners with US firm Leo A Daly and spanish contractors San Jose. The newly formed consortium presents the winning bid and starts the project, to be executed in a fast-track design-build modality.

The resulting collaboration of the international, interdisciplinary team is key for the project, which reaped the benefits of an acute understanding of both local building practice and the steps involved in efficiently transforming an air terminal in operation.

With its leaning glass facade, additional boarding gates and extensive retail areas, Tocumen International is today the new face of a country that progresses, and its design sets the tone for future expansions.