El Yunque Welcome Center

Abstract

El Yunque National Forest has a visitor center known as "El Portal del Yunque". Data collected by the administration shows that many visitors pass by without noticing "El Portal", which usually results in operational problems for the admistration, due to the lack of orientation for the visitors. As a solution, a free of charge Welcome Center is proposed. The facility will be located adjacent to the main road (PR-191). The Welcome Center's design consists of an installation that operates on a "Stop and Go" basis to provide visitors with the opportunity to obtain information and satisfy their needs. Also, the new facility will help promote "El Portal" as an attraction. The design consists of a structure with an outdoor lobby, a gift shop, restrooms and a parking lot that satisfies the National Forest vehicular demand. The design will consist of an E-Friendly structure minimizing the environmental impact and lowering the Welcome Center's operational cost.