On May 6th, Anthony Tung, Project Director of the Havana Studio, presented the findings of a multi-year architectural survey conducted by students from The New School, Pratt Institute, and the Technological University of Havana. The architectural survey documented self-built facades in the heritage zone of Centro Habana and spoke to the aesthetic and cultural impact of informally constructed alterations. These informal constructions, while often necessary to make the aged environment more livable for residents, contribute to the neighborhood’s vulnerability—Centro Habana sees approximately 600 building collapses each year. The presentation shed light on the interplay between social justice, tourism, historic preservation, and cultural identity in one of Havana’s most historically rich yet fragile neighborhoods.
