Each year, the AIA (American Institute of Architects) Committee on Design offers an international trip to its members. This time was a trip to visit the city of Havana. Havana is an architect’s dream. It is like walking through a 3D architectural history book featuring the best of late 19th century and early modern 20th century show-stoppers. The architecture alone, would have been enough. But the Cuban people overwhelmed and embraced us with their joyous exuberance for life, despite desperate hardships created by shortages resulting from the US blockade….as they repeatedly and pointedly reminded us.