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Free photo: Cuba, La-Habana, Havana, Habana - Free Image on Pixabay

reurb[HAV]itar

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Urban Transformation of Havana:

Digital Surveying and DIY Production for Preserving Architectural Identity

Background: Havana faces significant urban challenges characterized by economic crises, a lack of maintenance, and the deterioration of buildings. This is particularly evident in the Centro Habana district, where the number of building collapses exceeds new constructions each year, leading to the loss of valuable parts of the collective memory and local identity. Key elements that contribute to this identity, such as doors and windows, are often damaged or replaced with unsuitable parts. In this context, the use of modern digital tools and DIY technologies offers a way to support local stakeholders in surveying the existing conditions and quickly producing replacement parts.

Objective: Development of a Strategy for Digital Surveying of Building Damages and DIY Production of Replacement Parts (particularly doors and windows) to Secure the Preservation of Havana’s Architectural Identity. The focus is on the use of cost-effective technologies for 3D surveying and digital fabrication of building elements, enabling residents to independently replace damaged components and contribute to the maintenance of their living environment.

Havana Cuba · Free photo on Pixabay
Havana Cuba · Free photo on Pixabay

Task Description:

Task Description:

  1. Analysis Phase:
  • Document the building conditions and damages of “Plaza Antón Recio” and its surroundings using digital tools such as 3D scanning (SfM – Structure from Motion, NeRF – Neural Radiance Fields) with standard devices (e.g., smartphones).
  • Record specific damages to doors and windows and create digital models of these building elements.
  • Conduct a SWOT analysis to assess the challenges and opportunities of digital surveying and DIY production of replacement parts.
  1. Conceptual Phase:
  • Develop a strategy for digital surveying of building damages at the neighborhood level using simple and accessible technologies.
  • Design processes that enable residents to produce replacement building elements (e.g., doors, windows) using DIY technologies (like 3D printing) from locally available and sustainable materials.
  • Formulate a vision for the sustainable use of these technologies for the maintenance and enhancement of the urban fabric.
  1. Design Phase:
  • Create detailed technical processes for 3D surveying of damaged building components and the development of digital models for DIY production.
  • Develop prototype designs for replacement parts that can be produced using DIY 3D printing, considering local material resources and simple production methods.
  • Propose a process that enables residents to independently produce and install replacement parts.
  1. Expected Outcomes:
  • A detailed 3D survey of building damages (particularly doors and windows) in the area surrounding “Plaza Antón Recio.”
  • A digital model of the damaged building elements with detailed proposals for DIY replacement parts.
  • A strategy for involving the local population in digital surveying and DIY production of building elements.
  • Prototypes of replacement parts (e.g., doors, windows) that can be produced using 3D printing and locally available materials.

Submission

  • Digital 3D models of surveyed building damages and designs for DIY replacement parts.
  • Conceptual and technical documentation for 3D surveying and DIY production of building components.
  • Multimedia presentation of the results (digital models, prototypes, process documentation).

Note

  • The students work in an interdisciplinary manner to cover both the technical and architectural aspects of surveying and replacement part production.
  • The goal is to provide the residents of Havana with new tools for maintaining their built environment.
  • Good English language skills are mandatory, and knowledge of Spanish is highly advantageous.

Lecturers

Prof. Jorge Peña Diaz

Dates

DayLocationDateTime
TuesdayDC Seminarraum 1080|10308.10.202410:00 – 14:00
TuesdayDC Seminarraum 1080|10315.10.202410:00 – 14:00
TuesdayDC Seminarraum 1080|10322.10.202410:00 – 14:00
TuesdayDC Seminarraum 1080|10329.10.202410:00 – 14:00
TuesdayDC Seminarraum 1080|10312.11.202410:00 – 14:00
TuesdayDC Seminarraum 1080|10319.11.202410:00 – 14:00
TuesdayDC Seminarraum 1080|10326.11.202410:00 – 14:00
TuesdayDC Seminarraum 1080|10303.12.202410:00 – 14:00
TuesdayDC Seminarraum 1080|10310.12.202410:00 – 14:00
TuesdayDC Seminarraum 1080|10317.12.202410:00 – 14:00
TuesdayDC Seminarraum 1080|10307.01.202510:00 – 14:00
TuesdayDC Seminarraum 1080|10314.01.202510:00 – 14:00
TuesdayDC Seminarraum 1080|10321.01.202510:00 – 14:00
TuesdayDC Seminarraum 1080|10328.01.202510:00 – 14:00