Photo of the Week

This is a grand old photo taken in Ancon, 1944. According to maps and research, this building was a bachelor quarters. It was building #351 located directly behind the Masonic Temple. There is a nice tennis court for everyone to use. Why I am posting this photo is because of the facade in the middle peak of the building's roof noted with the black arrow. This facade was used in many Canal Zone buildings and must have been the architect's signature facade. I think it very classy and is a true mark of design.

Below are a couple other buildings I found with this facade design. First is the old Canal Zone Jr. College, before Balboa High School was built next to it, and no, the high school does not sport the facade with symbol, but the builders added two of the shapes of the flat facade in the center of the building. Interesting! Second is the Balboa Train Station has this facade and symbol on all sides of the station's center building. Third is a photo of the old bachelor quarters today. It is now a judicial building, noted as Family Courts. The Judiciary is one of the three brances of the Panamanian State and is responsible for administering justice. I am so please that this handsome and historical old building is in good shape and being used for a good cause. The facade and symbol standout strong and proud after all these years! Oh...the tennis court is a parking lot....LOL.

Post Script: I asked a architect expert about the symbols and here is what she told me. :

In architectural terms it’s called a quatrefoil.

It’s a design element that evokes the past and connects to the present.

It’s been used in Islamic and Gothic architecture

The architects used historical styles in the design of the major buildings in the CZ