The Landscape at el Portal de El Yunque

Bringing harmony, universal accessibility, and resilience to the landscape of El Portal.

Nestled within El Yunque National Forest—the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. Forest System—the Visitor Center has been thoughtfully transformed to honor the surrounding landscape and its history. Originally designed in 1996, the Center suffered damage from Hurricanes Irma and María, prompting a renewal that reimagines its connection to nature and culture. The redesign incorporates a carefully integrated new arrival plaza, universally-accessible trails, local flora, and green infrastructure, seamlessly blending solar energy and water harvesting strategies. Achieving the maximum possible LEED points for site design, visitors are now welcomed into a vibrant, sustainable landscape that reflects Puerto Rico’s unique ecological and cultural heritage.

Bringing harmony, universal accessibility, and resilience to the landscape of El Portal.

Nestled within El Yunque National Forest—the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. Forest System—the Visitor Center has been thoughtfully transformed to honor the surrounding landscape and its history.

Originally designed in 1996, the Center suffered damage from Hurricanes Irma and María, prompting a renewal that reimagines its connection to nature and culture. The redesign incorporates a carefully integrated new arrival plaza, universally-accessible trails, local flora, and green infrastructure, seamlessly blending solar energy and water harvesting strategies. Achieving the maximum possible LEED points for site design, visitors are now welcomed into a vibrant, sustainable landscape that reflects Puerto Rico’s unique ecological and cultural heritage.

@ Raquel Pérez Puig

Visitors to El Portal at El Yunque most frequently arrive at a bus and shuttle drop off location amidst a heavily reconstructed and verdant plaza space full of native rain forest ecology.

© Raquel Perez-Puig
© Raquel Perez-Puig
The sequence from the drop off to El Portal is the visual cue of a seating and meeting moment under a lightweight shade structure which then leads to an elevated pedestrian bridge and procession to the Visitors Center beyond.
The pedestrian bridge allows an appreciation of the lowland forest and the ocean beyond, stressing the vital ecological connections between the two.
© Marvel
The whole site of El Portal is conceptualized as a series of habitats that represent El Yunque National Forest and the cultural landscapes that surround it in Northeastern Puerto Rico.

"Before this project, there was no accessible trails in the entire El Yunque National Forest"

José Juan Terrasa-Soler, Partner at Marvel
© Raquel Perez-Puig
The accessible trail at El Portal includes interpretive signage informing visitors about the surrounding flora, fauna, and cultural history of this landscape.
© Raquel Perez-Puig
The new trail at El Portal is the only accessible trail in the 29,000 acres (about the area of Manhattan) of El Yunque National Forest.
© Raquel Perez-Puig
© Raquel Perez-Puig
El Portal at El Yunque National Forest has become a mediator and interlocutor between nature and culture through the language of design.
The center and it's surrounding landscape has become a new community hub for all kinds of activities.
© Raquel Perez-Puig
Elements of the original design, including the main hall, the upper courtyard, and the water feature were modified to give way to a newer design vision, accommodate current needs, and comply with current codes and sustainability standards.

Designing harmony between nature and resilience.

Nestled within El Yunque National Forest—the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. Forest System—the Visitor Center has been thoughtfully transformed to honor the surrounding landscape. Originally designed in 1996, the Center suffered damage from Hurricanes Irma and María, prompting a renewal that revitalizes its connection to nature. The redesign incorporates carefully integrated trails, local flora, and green infrastructure, seamlessly blending solar energy and water harvesting strategies. Today, visitors are welcomed into a vibrant, sustainable landscape that reflects Puerto Rico’s unique ecological heritage.

1920 El Portal de El Yunque Marvel N109 medium
1920 EL Portal de El Yunque Marvel N120 medium
The whole site of El Portal is conceptualized as a series of habitats that represent El Yunque National Forest and the cultural landscapes that surround it in Northeastern Puerto Rico.
1920 El Portal de El Yunque Raquel Pérez Puig N105 medium
1920 N3 medium

Visitors to El Portal at El Yunque most frequently arrive at a bus and shuttle drop off location amidst a heavily reconstructed and verdant plaza space full of native rain forest ecology.

1920 El Portal de El Yunque Raquel Perez Puig N93 medium
The sequence from the drop off to El Portal is the visual cue of a seating and meeting moment under a lightweight shade structure which then leads to an elevated pedestrian bridge and procession to the Visitors Center beyond.
1920 El Portal de El Yunque Raquel Perez Puig N104 medium
The pedestrian bridge allows an appreciation of the lowland forest and the ocean beyond, stressing the vital ecological connections between the two.

"Before this project, there was no accessible trails in the entire El Yunque National Forest"

José Juan Terrasa-Soler, Partner at Marvel
1920 El Portal de El Yunque Raquel Perez Puig N114 medium
The accessible trail at El Portal includes interpretive signage informing visitors about the surrounding flora, fauna, and cultural history of this landscape.
1920 N94 medium
Elements of the original design, including the main hall, the upper courtyard, and the water feature were modified to give way to a newer design vision, accommodate current needs, and comply with current codes and sustainability standards.

The Landscape at el Portal de El Yunque

Bringing harmony, universal accessibility, and resilience to the landscape of El Portal.

Nestled within El Yunque National Forest—the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. Forest System—the Visitor Center has been thoughtfully transformed to honor the surrounding landscape and its history. Originally designed in 1996, the Center suffered damage from Hurricanes Irma and María, prompting a renewal that reimagines its connection to nature and culture. The redesign incorporates a carefully integrated new arrival plaza, universally-accessible trails, local flora, and green infrastructure, seamlessly blending solar energy and water harvesting strategies. Achieving the maximum possible LEED points for site design, visitors are now welcomed into a vibrant, sustainable landscape that reflects Puerto Rico’s unique ecological and cultural heritage.

Bringing harmony, universal accessibility, and resilience to the landscape of El Portal.

Nestled within El Yunque National Forest—the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. Forest System—the Visitor Center has been thoughtfully transformed to honor the surrounding landscape and its history.

Originally designed in 1996, the Center suffered damage from Hurricanes Irma and María, prompting a renewal that reimagines its connection to nature and culture. The redesign incorporates a carefully integrated new arrival plaza, universally-accessible trails, local flora, and green infrastructure, seamlessly blending solar energy and water harvesting strategies. Achieving the maximum possible LEED points for site design, visitors are now welcomed into a vibrant, sustainable landscape that reflects Puerto Rico’s unique ecological and cultural heritage.

@ Raquel Pérez Puig

Visitors to El Portal at El Yunque most frequently arrive at a bus and shuttle drop off location amidst a heavily reconstructed and verdant plaza space full of native rain forest ecology.

© Raquel Perez-Puig
© Raquel Perez-Puig
The sequence from the drop off to El Portal is the visual cue of a seating and meeting moment under a lightweight shade structure which then leads to an elevated pedestrian bridge and procession to the Visitors Center beyond.
The pedestrian bridge allows an appreciation of the lowland forest and the ocean beyond, stressing the vital ecological connections between the two.
© Marvel
The whole site of El Portal is conceptualized as a series of habitats that represent El Yunque National Forest and the cultural landscapes that surround it in Northeastern Puerto Rico.

"Before this project, there was no accessible trails in the entire El Yunque National Forest"

José Juan Terrasa-Soler, Partner at Marvel
© Raquel Perez-Puig
The accessible trail at El Portal includes interpretive signage informing visitors about the surrounding flora, fauna, and cultural history of this landscape.
© Raquel Perez-Puig
The new trail at El Portal is the only accessible trail in the 29,000 acres (about the area of Manhattan) of El Yunque National Forest.
© Raquel Perez-Puig
© Raquel Perez-Puig
El Portal at El Yunque National Forest has become a mediator and interlocutor between nature and culture through the language of design.
The center and it's surrounding landscape has become a new community hub for all kinds of activities.
© Raquel Perez-Puig
Elements of the original design, including the main hall, the upper courtyard, and the water feature were modified to give way to a newer design vision, accommodate current needs, and comply with current codes and sustainability standards.

Designing harmony between nature and resilience.

Nestled within El Yunque National Forest—the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. Forest System—the Visitor Center has been thoughtfully transformed to honor the surrounding landscape. Originally designed in 1996, the Center suffered damage from Hurricanes Irma and María, prompting a renewal that revitalizes its connection to nature. The redesign incorporates carefully integrated trails, local flora, and green infrastructure, seamlessly blending solar energy and water harvesting strategies. Today, visitors are welcomed into a vibrant, sustainable landscape that reflects Puerto Rico’s unique ecological heritage.

1920 El Portal de El Yunque Marvel N109 medium
1920 EL Portal de El Yunque Marvel N120 medium
The whole site of El Portal is conceptualized as a series of habitats that represent El Yunque National Forest and the cultural landscapes that surround it in Northeastern Puerto Rico.
1920 El Portal de El Yunque Raquel Pérez Puig N105 medium
1920 N3 medium

Visitors to El Portal at El Yunque most frequently arrive at a bus and shuttle drop off location amidst a heavily reconstructed and verdant plaza space full of native rain forest ecology.

1920 El Portal de El Yunque Raquel Perez Puig N93 medium
The sequence from the drop off to El Portal is the visual cue of a seating and meeting moment under a lightweight shade structure which then leads to an elevated pedestrian bridge and procession to the Visitors Center beyond.
1920 El Portal de El Yunque Raquel Perez Puig N104 medium
The pedestrian bridge allows an appreciation of the lowland forest and the ocean beyond, stressing the vital ecological connections between the two.

"Before this project, there was no accessible trails in the entire El Yunque National Forest"

José Juan Terrasa-Soler, Partner at Marvel
1920 El Portal de El Yunque Raquel Perez Puig N114 medium
The accessible trail at El Portal includes interpretive signage informing visitors about the surrounding flora, fauna, and cultural history of this landscape.
1920 N94 medium
Elements of the original design, including the main hall, the upper courtyard, and the water feature were modified to give way to a newer design vision, accommodate current needs, and comply with current codes and sustainability standards.

The Landscape at el Portal de El Yunque

Bringing harmony, universal accessibility, and resilience to the landscape of El Portal.

Nestled within El Yunque National Forest—the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. Forest System—the Visitor Center has been thoughtfully transformed to honor the surrounding landscape and its history. Originally designed in 1996, the Center suffered damage from Hurricanes Irma and María, prompting a renewal that reimagines its connection to nature and culture. The redesign incorporates a carefully integrated new arrival plaza, universally-accessible trails, local flora, and green infrastructure, seamlessly blending solar energy and water harvesting strategies. Achieving the maximum possible LEED points for site design, visitors are now welcomed into a vibrant, sustainable landscape that reflects Puerto Rico’s unique ecological and cultural heritage.

Bringing harmony, universal accessibility, and resilience to the landscape of El Portal.

Nestled within El Yunque National Forest—the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. Forest System—the Visitor Center has been thoughtfully transformed to honor the surrounding landscape and its history.

Originally designed in 1996, the Center suffered damage from Hurricanes Irma and María, prompting a renewal that reimagines its connection to nature and culture. The redesign incorporates a carefully integrated new arrival plaza, universally-accessible trails, local flora, and green infrastructure, seamlessly blending solar energy and water harvesting strategies. Achieving the maximum possible LEED points for site design, visitors are now welcomed into a vibrant, sustainable landscape that reflects Puerto Rico’s unique ecological and cultural heritage.

@ Raquel Pérez Puig

Visitors to El Portal at El Yunque most frequently arrive at a bus and shuttle drop off location amidst a heavily reconstructed and verdant plaza space full of native rain forest ecology.

© Raquel Perez-Puig
© Raquel Perez-Puig
The sequence from the drop off to El Portal is the visual cue of a seating and meeting moment under a lightweight shade structure which then leads to an elevated pedestrian bridge and procession to the Visitors Center beyond.
The pedestrian bridge allows an appreciation of the lowland forest and the ocean beyond, stressing the vital ecological connections between the two.
© Marvel
The whole site of El Portal is conceptualized as a series of habitats that represent El Yunque National Forest and the cultural landscapes that surround it in Northeastern Puerto Rico.

"Before this project, there was no accessible trails in the entire El Yunque National Forest"

José Juan Terrasa-Soler, Partner at Marvel
© Raquel Perez-Puig
The accessible trail at El Portal includes interpretive signage informing visitors about the surrounding flora, fauna, and cultural history of this landscape.
© Raquel Perez-Puig
The new trail at El Portal is the only accessible trail in the 29,000 acres (about the area of Manhattan) of El Yunque National Forest.
© Raquel Perez-Puig
© Raquel Perez-Puig
El Portal at El Yunque National Forest has become a mediator and interlocutor between nature and culture through the language of design.
The center and it's surrounding landscape has become a new community hub for all kinds of activities.
© Raquel Perez-Puig
Elements of the original design, including the main hall, the upper courtyard, and the water feature were modified to give way to a newer design vision, accommodate current needs, and comply with current codes and sustainability standards.

Designing harmony between nature and resilience.

Nestled within El Yunque National Forest—the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. Forest System—the Visitor Center has been thoughtfully transformed to honor the surrounding landscape. Originally designed in 1996, the Center suffered damage from Hurricanes Irma and María, prompting a renewal that revitalizes its connection to nature. The redesign incorporates carefully integrated trails, local flora, and green infrastructure, seamlessly blending solar energy and water harvesting strategies. Today, visitors are welcomed into a vibrant, sustainable landscape that reflects Puerto Rico’s unique ecological heritage.

1920 El Portal de El Yunque Marvel N109 medium
1920 EL Portal de El Yunque Marvel N120 medium
The whole site of El Portal is conceptualized as a series of habitats that represent El Yunque National Forest and the cultural landscapes that surround it in Northeastern Puerto Rico.
1920 El Portal de El Yunque Raquel Pérez Puig N105 medium
1920 N3 medium

Visitors to El Portal at El Yunque most frequently arrive at a bus and shuttle drop off location amidst a heavily reconstructed and verdant plaza space full of native rain forest ecology.

1920 El Portal de El Yunque Raquel Perez Puig N93 medium
The sequence from the drop off to El Portal is the visual cue of a seating and meeting moment under a lightweight shade structure which then leads to an elevated pedestrian bridge and procession to the Visitors Center beyond.
1920 El Portal de El Yunque Raquel Perez Puig N104 medium
The pedestrian bridge allows an appreciation of the lowland forest and the ocean beyond, stressing the vital ecological connections between the two.

"Before this project, there was no accessible trails in the entire El Yunque National Forest"

José Juan Terrasa-Soler, Partner at Marvel
1920 El Portal de El Yunque Raquel Perez Puig N114 medium
The accessible trail at El Portal includes interpretive signage informing visitors about the surrounding flora, fauna, and cultural history of this landscape.
1920 N94 medium
Elements of the original design, including the main hall, the upper courtyard, and the water feature were modified to give way to a newer design vision, accommodate current needs, and comply with current codes and sustainability standards.

Location

Rio Grande, PR

Client

USDA Forest Service, Interlink Construction Inc.

Typology

Size

36,000 SF; Site Area: 23 Acres

Design Team

José R. Marchand, Jonathan Marvel, Edna Echandi-Guzman, José Juan Terrasa-Soler, Sadie Winslow, Sabdiel Diaz, Rafael A. Ferrer, Hansel Pellot, Yanick Lay, Adriana Guardiola, Nicole Rivera, Juan Ramirez

Awards

AIA Puerto Rico Honor Award for Sustainable Work; Architizer A+ Award Special Mention; PRBA Social Impact Award

Consultants

EBP Design Group Consulting Engineers, PSC (Surveyor), DG3A Design Group, PSC (Civil Engineer), Joaquin de Mari Monserrate, PE (Structural Engineer), Jorge Torres Scandali, PE (MEPFP), Jorge Ledón Webster PE PSC (HVAC), JR Requena & Asociados (Electrical Engineer), Split Rock Studios (Exhibit Designer), Pieri Architects (Sustainability Consultant), RAP Consulting Engineer, PSC (Commissioning Agent), EDSA (Conceptual Landscape Design)