Old School of Tropical Medicine Building, Historic medical research building in Puerta de Tierra, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The Old School of Tropical Medicine Building is a 1926 structure in Puerta de Tierra featuring ornate decorative details in the Plateresque style, designed by Rafael Carmoega. Today it serves as an office building within the University of Puerto Rico system.
The building was constructed in 1926 when medical research on the island was flourishing and turning its focus toward tropical diseases plaguing the population. The institution played a key role in fighting parasitic and infectious illnesses that were widespread in the region.
The building housed a research facility focused on tropical diseases, bringing together local doctors with international experts in the field. This exchange made the island an important center for medical advancement in the Caribbean.
The structure is located in Puerta de Tierra within the Puerto Rico University campus and is easily accessible via the street network. Visitors should note that it functions as an active office building, so access may be limited to certain areas or times.
The building was closely connected to Columbia University, making it a crossroads between American and Caribbean medical traditions. This international partnership was unusual for its time and helped facilitate the exchange of knowledge and methods.
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