Social media and the residents of Havana have been dismayed as they witness the gradual collapse of what was once a vibrant hub for design education in Cuba: the former Instituto Superior de Diseño (ISDI) building, now lying in ruins and neglect.
Local residents and social media users have reported the latest collapse, confirming that the incident occurred at the once-prominent ISDI building located in Central Havana, bordered by Belascoaín, Maloja, and Estrella streets.
This unfortunate event added another chapter to a long sequence of deterioration on Tuesday when yet another section of the structure gave way. This highlights the severe level of decay in a building that, for decades, housed one of Cuba's most esteemed academic institutions in design and visual arts.
The ISDI, which nurtured generations of artists and designers acclaimed both within and beyond Cuba's borders, has become a stark representation of the neglect of educational and cultural heritage, with no effective solutions in sight for its preservation or restoration.
The building's collapse underscores the ongoing housing and construction crisis plaguing Havana. Historic and socially valuable buildings continue to decay due to inadequate maintenance and a lack of structural intervention by the authorities.
In a related incident last December, a partial collapse of the same building occurred just days after architects had warned about its imminent failure.
Impact of Building Neglect in Havana
What led to the collapse of the former ISDI building?
The collapse is attributed to prolonged neglect and lack of maintenance, which led to severe structural deterioration.
How does this incident reflect broader issues in Havana?
The incident highlights the widespread housing and construction crisis in Havana, where many historic buildings face similar neglect.