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The Higher Institute of Industrial Design (ISDI) will have a new headquarters in the Playa municipality, following the declaration of the building it occupied for more than four decades at Belascoaín and Carlos III, Centro Habana, as uninhabitable.
The information was confirmed by the designer David Lahera on his Facebook profile and reported by state media such as Cubadebate and the website of the Government of Havana.
The new location of ISDi will be the former "Pablo de la Torriente Brau" Polytechnical Institute, at 1st and 32nd, a facility that is currently undergoing renovations.
During the last few academic years, students of ISDi were relocated to classrooms in other faculties of the University of Havana, to which the center is affiliated as an independent budget unit, due to the poor condition of the original building. According to officials, it is likely that classes for the 2025-2026 academic year will continue temporarily in those spaces while construction work on the new headquarters is completed.
The administrative transfer of the property has already been completed, and tasks such as diagnosis, project design, hiring of contractors, and material procurement for its comprehensive restoration are currently underway. The goal is to ensure safe, functional, and aesthetically appropriate conditions for the training of future Cuban designers.
However, the relocation has raised questions about the fate of the former “Pablo,” the institution where specialties in crafts, construction, and more recently, computer science were taught. “The news doesn’t say what happened to the Polytechnical,” noted a user in the comments on the official media outlet Cubadebate.
A venue marked by neglect
The decision to leave the original headquarters of ISDI is not new. In March 2022, the center closed its doors due to a “complicated architectural failure” that compromised the safety of the building, as announced by the institution itself on social media at that time. Around that date, a civil engineer described the issue as “structural and very dangerous,” pointing out that the building had never been adequately reinforced to support new loads, such as the theater constructed on the top floor.
In January of last year, the deterioration reached its peak with a partial collapse of the building, injuring an elderly woman and affecting several families. “The collapse of the ISDI is also the collapse of Cuba,” wrote designer Carlos Zamora in a post that went viral at that time. The event shocked the academic community and reignited criticism regarding the neglect of key infrastructure for higher education.
Path to a new stage
Founded in 1984, ISDI has graduated over 3,000 designers and maintains connections with productive sectors, service industries, and the sociocultural sphere. Its dean, Dr. C. Sergio Peña Martínez, stated after the collapse that "ISDI will not stop" and that they will fight for a headquarters worthy of its history and mission. The move to "Pablo," although characterized by urgency, could mark the beginning of a new phase for one of the country's most creative and resilient institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions about the relocation of the Higher Institute of Industrial Design (ISDI) in Cuba
Why did ISDI move to a new building?
The transfer of ISDI to a new building was necessary because its former location in Centro Habana was declared uninhabitable due to a complex architectural failure that compromised the safety of the property. This deterioration worsened with a partial collapse that left several families affected.
Where will the new headquarters of ISDI be located?
The new headquarters of ISDI will be located in the former "Pablo de la Torriente Brau" Polytechnic Institute in the Playa municipality. Currently, renovations are underway in this building to ensure safe and functional facilities for students.
How has the relocation affected the students of ISDI?
During the past semesters, ISDI students have been relocated to classrooms in other faculties at the University of Havana due to the poor condition of the original building. These conditions are expected to persist until the renovations at the new headquarters are completed.
What will happen to the old ISDI building in Centro Habana?
It has not been specified what will happen to the old ISDI building in Centro Habana after its designation as uninhabitable. The building experienced a partial collapse and is yet another example of the structural deterioration affecting many constructions in Cuba.
What are the criticisms of ISDI's management during this relocation process?
The dean of ISDI has been criticized for his authoritarian and repressive attitude, especially regarding the lack of connectivity and resources at the institution. Students and alumni have demanded his resignation through an open letter, highlighting a disconnect with the technological reality of the country.
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