Courtyards of Cuba: A Journey into the Soul of Cuban Architecture

Last Wednesday evening, at Books & Books in Coral Gables, I had the joy of attending the presentation of Courtyards of Cuba by my former professor and dear friend, Julio César Pérez Hernández.

I first met Julio more than 20 years ago while studying architecture at the University of Havana. Back then, his lectures on architecture were more than academic lessons — they were invitations to see the meaning behind the walls, the stories within the spaces. Seeing him again, speaking with the same passion he had in those classrooms, felt like coming full circle.

The Beauty and Meaning of Cuban Courtyards

Courtyards of Cuba is far more than a photography book. It’s a love letter to the Cuban courtyard, a space deeply woven into the country’s architectural identity and cultural heritage.

These courtyards are not only functional — bringing light, air, and life into a home — but also poetic. They are where architecture, nature, and human life meet in perfect harmony. From the colonial architecture of Cuba to more modern Havana homes, courtyards have been the heartbeat of domestic life for centuries.

In Julio’s photographs, the courtyards reveal their quiet elegance, worn tiles fade by footsteps, filtered sunlight painting the walls, the gentle decay that somehow makes them even more beautiful. The calm, the silence, and sometimes the laugh and joy of children playing. They are spaces that hold memories, echo laughter, and offer a sense of belonging.

A Child’s Perspective on Timeless Beauty

The day after the event, my two children — ages 6 and 8 — were leafing through the book at home. They stopped at one image and asked, with eyes wide:
"Dad, can we go to that place? It’s so beautiful."

I smiled and replied, "Yes, one day we will."

In that moment, I realized something important — the beauty of Cuban architecture doesn’t require explanation, historical context, or even familiarity. Even when in ruins, even worn by time, it speaks directly to the heart. It speaks so clearly that a child, with no architectural training, can feel its pull and dream of standing there.

Preserving the Soul of Cuban Architecture

Courtyards of Cuba reminds us that architecture is not just about buildings — it’s about identity, memory, and culture. These courtyards are living spaces, witnesses to history, and reflections of a uniquely Cuban way of life.

And while time changes everything, some things remain.
Because true beauty doesn’t fade — it just waits for us to return.