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Nilson Ariel Espino, Aquitecto

I am an architect, urban planner, and anthropologist living and working in Panama City, Rep. of Panama.  I hold a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Santa María La Antigua Catholic University (USMA, 1991), a M.Sc. in urban planning from the University of Arizona (1997), and a Ph.D. in social and cultural anthropology from Rice University (2005).  I’m a licensed architect in Panama and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Since 2004, I lead the architecture and planning firm SUMA Architects (www.sumaarquitectos.com) with offices in Panama.  Our work prioritizes environmental sustainability, historic preservation, and social inclusion.  We work with private and public institutions and corporations, and we frequently partner with NGOs and universities.  We also have a sustained research practice in urban and regional issues.  Our work is forthrightly interdisciplinary and multiscale.  A summary of our work can be found here:

Brief bio

In parallel, I have an academic and research career.  I teach with McGill University, where I’m an adjunct professor with the School of Urban Planning.  I also have appointments with the University of Panama (professor of master’s programs with the College of Architecture) and USMA (research associate).  I’m also the director of the Panama Urban Forum and Observatory (at USMA) (https://fospanama.org/urbano/) and Co-Chair of the UNESCO Chair for Dialogues on Sustainability (https://prism.research.mcgill.ca/index.html).  I have published two books: Building the Inclusive City (Routledge) and Conversations with the Turtles (Cambridge University Press).

Brief bio

I am an architect, urban planner, and anthropologist living and working in Panama City, Rep. of Panama.  I hold a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Santa María La Antigua Catholic University (USMA, 1991), a M.Sc. in urban planning from the University of Arizona (1997), and a Ph.D. in social and cultural anthropology from Rice University (2005).  I’m a licensed architect in Panama and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Since 2004, I lead the architecture and planning firm SUMA Architects (www.sumaarquitectos.com) with offices in Panama.  Our work prioritizes environmental sustainability, historic preservation, and social inclusion.  We work with private and public institutions and corporations, and we frequently partner with NGOs and universities.  We also have a sustained research practice in urban and regional issues.  Our work is forthrightly interdisciplinary and multiscale.  A summary of our work can be found here:

Nilson Ariel Espino,Panamanian architect
In parallel, I have an academic and research career.  I teach with McGill University, where I’m an adjunct professor with the School of Urban Planning.  I also have appointments with the University of Panama (professor of master’s programs with the College of Architecture) and USMA (research associate).  I’m also the director of the Panama Urban Forum and Observatory (at USMA) (https://fospanama.org/urbano/) and Co-Chair of the UNESCO Chair for Dialogues on Sustainability (https://prism.research.mcgill.ca/index.html).  I have published two books: Building the Inclusive City (Routledge) and Conversations with the Turtles (Cambridge University Press).

Brief bio

Edificio Capital Plaza
Oficina 1304
Paseo Roberto Motta
Costa del Este, Ciudad de Panamá
info@grupo-suma.com
(507) 300-0366

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