巴拿马著名的鸟类学家Eugene Eisenmann在20世纪50-60年代间的广泛研究为接下来的几代鸟类学家形成了重要的影响和启发，其中包括《巴拿马鸟类图鉴》这一经典工具书的插画作者Robert Ridgeley和John Gwynn。2005年，Ridgeley和Gwynn助力了Eugene Eisenmann Aviafuna基金会的成立。该基金会致力于对巴拿马的鸟类栖息地提供保护，为了实现这一目标，基金会决定在热带雨林内部的一处25公顷的场地上修建一座探索中心，其中包括150平方米的游客中心、一座40米高的观测塔，以及一条2公里长的小径。

The extensive investigations of isthmian avifauna made by the renowned Panamanian ornithologist Eugene Eisenmann during the 1950s and 60s significantly influenced and inspired subsequent generations of ornithologists, among them Robert Ridgeley and John Gwynn, author and illustrator respectively of the classic field guide “The Birds of Panama”. In 2005, Ridgeley and Gwynn were instrumental in the founding of the Eugene Eisenmann Aviafuna Foundation, in homage to their mentor, and in the definition of the foundation´s mission, which primarily seeks to ensure the conservation and protection of Panamá bird habitats. In order to accomplish this objective the foundation decided to build the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, which consists of a 150m2 visitor´s center, a 40m tall observation tower and 2km of trails on a 25 Ha site within the tropical humid forest contiguous to the world famous Pipeline Road and Sovereignty National Park.

▼游客中心，visitor´s center

▼雨林间的路径，the trail within the tropical forest

游客中心和观测塔的设计均以最大程度减少了对环境的干扰，每个结构都秉持了可持续设计的原则：游客中心被建造在了一片已经受到影响的区域内（美国陆军曾于80年代中期在这里修建热带测试中心）。此外，项目中还采用了光伏发电系统、由回收木材和钢材制成的结构、雨水收集和处理系统、水循环系统和自然通风系统等。施工过程中未采用任何重型设备，仅依靠简单的装置和技术来运送和抬升大型的钢制结构。

Both the visitor center and the observation tower were designed in such a manner so as to generate the least possible impact on their respective sites, and as such each of the structures integrates principles of sustainable design, including the construction of facilities on previously impacted sites (the visitor center site had been cleared in the mid-1980s by the U.S. Army for a tropical test center); the use of a photovoltaic system for energy generation; the use of salvaged lumber and steel for structures; the collection, treatment and consumption of rainwater; the treatment and recycling of gray water and the integration of natural ventilation. Construction processes were also carried out so as to generate the least possible impact on the fragile sites, requiring no heavy equipment and relying instead on simple devices and techniques to raise large steel sections into place on the tower and in the visitor center.

▼40米高的观测塔，the 40m tall observation tower

▼建筑近景，detailed view

▼观测平台， observation level

▼旋转而上的楼梯，the spiral stair leading to the top

▼顶层视野，view from the top level

自巴拿马前总统Martin Torrijos于2008年1月亲自为其揭幕以来，巴拿马雨林探索中心每年都会接待超过1万名学生、游客及当地居民，为基金会使命的践行以及环境教育的推动做出了巨大贡献。

Since its inauguration by former President Martin Torrijos in January 2008, the PRDC has been visited yearly by more than 10,000 students, tourists and locals, contributing significantly in this manner to the successful achievement of the foundation´s mission and to the furthering of environmental education in Panama.

▼场地平面图，site plan

▼游客中心平面图，plan of the tourist centre

▼游客中心立面图，elevation of the tourist centre

▼游客中心剖面图，section of the tourist centre

▼观测塔一层平面图，ground floor plan of the observation tower

▼观测塔立面图，elevation of the observation tower

Equipo de Diseño: Brenda Gotti, Zitta Pozo, Emilio Rivadeneira, Aristides Robles, Adam Caballero Ingeniero Estructural: Martin Isaac y Asociados, S.A.