The Social Tower

A new model for Cuban social communities and tourism

Master thesis (2017)

Authors

J.D.S. Lagnefeldt Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

P.P.A. Cournet (mentor)
K.B. Mulder (mentor)
H.J.M. Vande Putte (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment, Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2017 Johan Lagnefeldt
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Published Date

08-07-2017

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

Vedado is the western modern city grid part of Havana, soaked in a history of entertainment, casinos and mobster money which was halted by the "Triumph of the Revolution" in 1959. Currently a slumber town due to it´s lack of public space and social space which precludes a lot of Cuban activity which traditionally takes place in the public sphere. The entertainment era left a number of hotels along the sea front which now have no connection to the vibrant Cuban experience that tourists seek, leaving little incentive to visit the area.

The merging of a failing luxury hotel in embargoed Cuba with an architectural invention, a tower of stacking levels of public and social space, allows for a new opportunity to revitalize Vedado. Cubans in Vedado are able to construct temporary spaces to make use of for their social activities and tourists are able to partake in these spaces and activities, creating a merger of the two worlds. It brings a new business model in tourism, allowing for hotel visitors to meet the new Cuban reality within the hotel itself.