The recent partial collapse of the Higher Institute of Design (ISDI) in Havana has been acknowledged by the authorities themselves as the result of structural errors in previous modifications, which weakened the building and led to its collapse.
The building, which is 165 years old, had undergone expansions and renovations over the years, including the addition of two upper levels and a theater, which overloaded the original structure.
The engineer Ramón Casado Morales, project director at SECONS, acknowledged in a report by Cuban Television that these modifications introduced two different types of construction, with wooden floors in the lower levels and reinforced concrete in the upper ones, resulting in an additional weight that the structure could not support.
The collapse that occurred last January was not an isolated event. According to Namán Morales, coordinator of Construction Programs for the Government of Havana, the affected area had already been declared at risk of collapse for more than four months, which is why the construction company GECAL had begun a process of gradual demolition.
However, he acknowledged that during that process there were partial collapses, which led to the final decision to completely demolish the upper floors.
The authorities have tried to minimize the impact of the collapse by assuring that the damages to nearby homes were addressed immediately, restoring hydraulic, electrical, and telephone networks, in addition to strengthening protections for pedestrians.
Casado Morales explained that efforts are now underway to brace the remaining walls to prevent further collapses, a measure that, as he admitted, was not taken in time in the area that collapsed.
For her part, Vilma Castro Díaz, director of GECAL in Havana, confirmed that the complete demolition process will take at least three months, after which the condition of the building will be assessed to determine if restoration is possible.
“Then we will proceed to make another assessment to see the actual impact left by the demolition we carried out, and from there we would start to repair the building with a new project,” declared Castro Díaz, without providing details on the timelines for reconstruction.
Meanwhile, the students of ISDI, the only higher education institution in Cuba specialized in industrial design and visual communication design, will continue to be displaced across various campuses of the University of Havana.
According to Dean Sergio Luis Peña Martínez, the institute's administration is maintaining teaching and extracurricular activities to mitigate the impact of the situation, although he acknowledged that there is still no immediate solution for the original campus.
ISDI, founded 40 years ago, has faced structural problems for years, and although efforts have been made since 2019 to address its deterioration, authorities have admitted that the complexity of the damage has exceeded initial forecasts.
Now, with the collapse already completed, those responsible assure that they are working to prevent a greater disaster, although there is no clear date for the restoration of the institute.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Collapse of the Higher Institute of Design in Havana
What were the causes of the collapse of the Higher Institute of Design (ISDI) in Havana?
The collapse was due to structural errors in previous modifications that weakened the building. Two levels and a theater were added, putting excessive load on the original structure, combining wooden and concrete constructions, which created an unsustainable additional weight.
What measures have the authorities taken following the collapse of the ISDI?
The authorities have begun the complete demolition of the upper floors and have worked on reinforcing the protections for pedestrians. Furthermore, the hydraulic, electrical, and telephone networks are being restored in the affected areas.
What is the current situation of ISDI students after the building collapse?
The students of ISDI have been relocated to different campuses of the University of Havana to continue their classes and extracurricular activities while the restoration of the original building is being evaluated.
What impact has the collapse of ISDI had on the Cuban design community?
The collapse has caused dismay in the Cuban design community, being regarded as a sad day for design in the country. Alumni and design professionals expressed their concerns about the future of the institution and the lack of maintenance that led to this situation.
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