Casa del Conde de la Mortera

While in Havana, we studied the architecture of the buildings surrounding our site.  I was able to focus on the urban residence because I was particularly interested in how the Cubans used passive systems to light and ventilate these homes.  A key to these systems for the Cubans is the Persiana shuttered window with glazed lunettes above.  They also use tall, deep colonnades just like those on the street façades of buildings throughout the city.