Luis Muñoz Marín Foundation Visitor Center

Project by Toro Ferrer Arquitectos

The Visitor Center is a vital space for preserving and interpreting the legacy of Puerto Rico’s first democratically elected governor, Luis Muñoz Marín. Thoughtfully designed, it serves as the gateway to a tranquil cluster of buildings that once formed the modest residence of Muñoz Marín and his wife, Inés Mendoza.

Embracing the site’s irregular topography, the design strategically tucks administrative offices and storage spaces on the lower level to minimize its impact on the site. An exhibition hall and multi-use areas above mark the entry level, maximizing both function and experience. A distinctive pre-cast concrete façade, patterned to evoke the bamboo grove that once stood on the property, creates a symbolic connection between the site’s past and its contemporary function.

The program consists of two buildings connected by a colorful aluminum pergola that reinforces the landscape’s original bamboo character. The larger structure features a vestibule and an exhibition hall with a dynamic bamboo plywood ceiling, seamlessly incorporating Muñoz’s library and office as part of the exhibition space. The building also includes a museum shop and an exhibition hall that incorporates Muñoz’s library and office on the ground floor. Below, the lower level houses the Foundation’s administrative offices and two archival storage areas. To the west, a smaller building serves as a reception room. The integration of outdoor spaces further enriches the visitor experience, inviting guests to appreciate the natural beauty that shaped Muñoz’s vision for Puerto Rico.