On the Board

Old School of Tropical Medicine

San Juan, Puerto Rico 

The Antiguo Edificio de Medicina Tropical (formerly the Escuela de Medicina Tropical) was established in the mid-1920s as a pioneering institution in tropical medicine. By legislative resolution on June 23, 1924, Puerto Rico’s government created it to further research and training in diseases of tropical climates. The building is a distinguished example of the “plateresco” style in Puerto Rico—this style draws on ornate Spanish-Renaissance decorative forms (akin to the work of precious-metal artisans, “plateros”).  It comprises a complex of three concrete structures of three levels each, arranged with a central square block, a U-shaped wing and an attached rectangular block, creating internal courtyards and service zones.

On September 29, 1983, the building was listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places due to its architectural and academic importance. Our team at PQC Architectural Studio is currently leading the restoration of the historic Antiguo Edificio de Medicina Tropical, a landmark of Puerto Rico’s architectural and cultural heritage. 

• Architecturally, it brings rare stylistic richness (Plateresco) into the local built environment.

• Its adaptive reuse and ongoing restoration highlight issues of resilience, heritage preservation and sustainability—key themes in your current envelope-restoration scope.

• This project focuses on the restoration of the building envelope to enhance resiliency and sustainability, ensuring long-term preservation and performance in the island’s tropical environment. The scope of work includes the replacement of windows and frames, restoration of wood doors, replication of terracotta elements, installation of new tiles and waterproofing systems, and concrete repair and conservation.