A Spatial History of
Puerto Rico's Modernization
SITIOS is a pilot archival research project that georeferences architectural structures from the collections of the Architecture and Construction Archive of the University of Puerto Rico (AACUPR). Its main output is an interactive online map that uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to let users worldwide explore the archive spatially and intuitively, enhancing access to and visibility of Puerto Rico’s architectural heritage.
The platform integrates GIS-based selection filters and detailed attributes for each georeferenced structure, whether built or proposed. Each site links to a technical sheet featuring representative images, historical and typological data, and direct access to the UPR Library System’s Horizon platform for deeper research.
For the pilot phase, the Henry Klumb collection was selected. A leading figure in American modernism and a key influence on generations of Puerto Rican architects, Klumb’s archive—acquired by UPR in 1986—includes over 500 projects with drawings, documents, photographs, and models.
After two years of in-depth research, 468 of 527 projects (88.8%) were successfully located. Due to missing site plans in many records, the team conducted extensive archival research—consulting letters, newspapers, property records, permits, and satellite images—along with over 100 field visits to trace physical remains and validate locations.
Released in March 2025, the map serves not only to pinpoint structures but also to offer spatial and contextual insights that traditional archives cannot. It enables analysis of orientation, scale, topography, and proximity to the landscape and built environment—adding cognitive and narrative layers to architectural interpretation.
Grounded in the belief that visibility is the first step toward preservation, SITIOS invites both casual and scholarly exploration of Puerto Rico’s built legacy. With future plans to include additional architects’ work, the platform aspires to become a vital tool for the study and conservation of the island’s recent architectural heritage.
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