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Preserving the Magic and Poetry of Havana by Professor Julio Cesar Perez-Hernandez
Havana, a Caribbean Metropolis with a European influence, was spared the damage of the global urban renewal and over development of the second half of the 20th century. Even today, it still keeps intact its traditional urban fabric. Its unique and appealing spirit stems not only from the well-known quality of its music and rhythms, its vibrant street life and its friendly ambiance, but also from its built environment. The city's harmonious juxtaposition of different architectural styles displays an impressive collection of buildings authored by world famous local and international architects and shows how the spirit of Havana as a place was cast by the progressive assimilation of European urban and architectural models, together with the mark left by immigrants from Europe, Africa, Asia, and the United States. All this helped mold a culture with a highly distinct architectural heritage spanning over five centuries that reflects the country's development and defines its cultural identity.
Settled by the harbor in 1519, Havana, capital of Cuba, is a city of magic and poetry, a city with a spirit- Genius Loci- that gives life to both people and place. Its exceptional geographic position and the increased commercial activity of its harbor granted Havana a distinguished status among the overseas colonies even before it turned into the largest shipyard in the Western Hemisphere. The city's urban landscape was defined by stone fortresses, churches and palaces built on an irregular grid of narrow and shaded streets and a network of piazzas and piazzetas that would announce its polycentric character. Along four centuries different architectural styles informed the city's image making it a living museum. Havana proudly exhibits a collection of fine buildings and places from Renaissance fortresses, and Moorish style mansions, Baroque palaces and Neoclassical temples; from Art Nouveau and Art Déco to International Style buildings, comprising the work of both Cuban and international architects. The stories attached to every building are a living proof of the intangible values of Cuba's culture.
Professor Julio Cesar Perez is a practicing Cuban Architect, Urban planner and Urban Designer, Professor and Author of the books 'Inside Havana' (2011) and 'Inside Cuba' (2004), both published by Taschen Editions. Prof. Perez became the one and only Cuban Loeb Fellow in history at the Harvard University Graduate School during 2001-2002 in Advanced Urban and Environmental Studies and he received his degree from the School of Architecture of Havana, Cuba in 1982, where he has was an Adjunct Professor from 1998 to 2006. His work includes the design and building of private homes and public buildings and the master planning of new communities and neighborhoods that have earned him several awards. He is the founding Chair of the Cuban Chapter of the Council for European Urbanism (C.E.U.) and I.N.T.B.A.U. (International Network for Traditional Construction, Architecture and Urbanism), and a member of I.N.T.B.A.U, C.E.U., the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba, and of the Union of Architects and Engineers of Cuba. He was selected the 2012-2013 Wilbur Marvin Visiting Scholar at Harvard University.
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LocationThe Richard H Driehaus Museum (View)
40 East Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60611
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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