- Address: Edificio 136, Calzada de Amador, Calz. de Amador 136, Panamá, Panamá
- Website: www.biomuseopanama.org
- E-mail: consultas@biomuseo.com
- Phone: +507 830 6700
- Date created: 2014
- Working hours: Tue-Fri: 10-00 - 16-00, Sat-Sun: 10-00 - 17-00
- Area: 4000 square meters. m
One of the seven most original museums in the world - Biomuseum - is located in Panama , in a small town called Ambadore, which is a suburb of the capital of the state. First of all the museum is known for its original design. The author of the project was the famous architect Frank Gehry, winner of the Pritzker Prize. Biomuseo - the so-called museum in Spanish - was the first building erected by Gehry in South America. The project was conceived in 1999, in 2004 Gehry, whose wife is a native of Panama, gave the building to the state.
The very idea of creating a museum dedicated to the diversity of nature of Panama, belongs to the foundation of the Amador Foundation. The same fund and implemented it with the assistance of the Government of Panama, the State University and the Smithsonian Institution. In 2014 biomuseum opened its doors to visitors.
The museum is also a symbol of the unity of the North and South Americas (the state of Panama is located on both continents) - its architecture, according to the author's idea, shows how the Panamanian isthmus rose from the bottom, dividing the two oceans and uniting the two continents, and bright colors symbolize the tropical climate of Panama. The objective of the original design was to attract the attention of tourists to the problems of preserving the natural resources of Panama. The museum is located near the port and the Panama Canal , and due to its unusual appearance and bright colors, it can be seen from afar.
Architecture and internal arrangement
The building is designed in the style of deconstruction; it consists of corrugated metal structures and details of a wide variety of shapes and colors; supports are concrete columns of small diameter. The project of the building was developed by Gehry Technologies and Autodesk (the latter, in particular, carried out the development of bearing beams and other steel structures).
On an area of 4000 square meters. m there are 8 galleries, designed by designer Bruce Mau (they hold daily exhibitions), meeting rooms, public atrium. In addition, Biomuseo operates a shop and a cafe, and the adjoining area is a botanical garden. There can also be exhibitions.
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Exposition
Exhibits Biomuseo talk about the nature of Panama, its richness and diversity. Actually, biomuseo also has a second name - a museum of biodiversity. Here there are two huge 10-meter half-cylindrical aquarium, in which live representatives of the marine and oceanic fauna - inhabitants of the waters of the Pacific and the Caribbean. Aquariums demonstrate that after the creation of the isthmus life in the Pacific and the Caribbean developed very differently.
On 14 video screens in Panamarama you can watch a panoramic video that tells about the ecosystem of Panama. The section "Building the Bridge" tells about how about 3 million years ago the Panama Isthmus appeared - a kind of bridge that connects North and South America. Here you can learn about the tectonic forces that formed the isthmus. And in the Worlds Collide Hall you can learn about how the two continents have been "torn apart" for 70 million years, about the differences in their flora and fauna, and about the opportunity for "exchange" in the formation of the Isthmus of Panama, which united the continents.
The Biodiversity Gallery meets visitors with a huge stained glass window measuring 14x8 m, where there is information about the incredible diversity of life on Earth. Section LA Huella Humana 16 columns represent information that a person is an integral part of nature and its interaction with other components. Here you can learn about the history of the existence of mankind in the territory of modern Panama.
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How to get to Biomuseum?
You can reach Biomuzee either by Corredor Sur or by Corredor Nte. The second option is longer, but on the first there are paid sections of the road. In addition, you can reach by public transport, for example - to Figali I (here you can get from Albrook airport), and then walk about 700 m.