News - March 19, 2010

SU Florence Architecture hosts international workshop

Imagine living in a city center where plots of empty land still represent buildings that were destroyed during the Second World War—a kind of living, spatial wound that won’t let you forget. What kind of urban structures would you propose to not only fill those spaces, but to also heal those wounds? This was the brief for thirty-three architecture students, from four universities in three countries, participating this week in the intensive, six-day Florence Architecture Workshop, hosted by the SU Florence School of Architecture.

The focus of the third edition of the Florence Architecture Workshop is the historical center of San Miniato, a Medieval city set on hills in the Tuscan countryside west of Florence—a setting combining both urban and natural landscapes. The workshop was organized by Elizabeth Kamell, (SUF School of Architecture), Fabrizio Arrigoni, Antonello Boschi, Andrea Bulleri, (Università di Pisa), and Andrea Ponsi (Kent State Florence Program). Partecipating students are from the SUF School of Architecture (16), the Università degli Studi di Firenze (5), the Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile dell’Università di Pisa (4), and the Technische Universiteit in Delft (8). This is the first phase of a two-part workshop—the second phase will take place in September. SUF Architecture is offering workshop participants studio space, a lecture hall, and jury space.

Students are working together, in small, mixed-nationality groups, exchanging ideas on issues of common architectural and urban importance—in this case, the reclamation of abandoned, but historically significant, open space. Randall Korman, Associate Dean at SU School of Architecture, is participating as a visiting critic. Notes Korman, “The San Miniato al Tedesco workshop is a wonderful event on several levels. Foremost is the opportunity for our students to interact with those from the Universities of Florence, Pisa and Delft. Each group approaches the project with a particular set of architectural and cultural biases that require a collaborative approach to design. This effort is enhanced by the participation of faculty members from each of the institutions who serve as roving critics. The afternoon table-top critiques are rich and varied. Also of great value is the fact that the projects are rooted in a set of 'real-world' issues confronting the town of San Miniato that includes among others, the need to be both forward looking while also respecting the patrimony of the historic context. The challenge to the students has been to find that balance point between pure invention and responsible accommodation of functional needs. The result is an exceptional experience that will resonate with everyone for some time to come.”

The seminar began with a lecture on the town of San Miniato, followed by a site visit to the town with welcome by the mayor. Students are working hard in the allotted time frame to develop ideas into projects, facing head-on the challenge of communicating with other students in English and Italian. “Excitement among the students could be felt from the first day of the workshop,” said Boschi, adding that he is pleasantly surprised by the amount of bi-lingual communication going on. Students are now wrapping up four days of studio design and discussion.

Students are excited about the opportunities the workshop presents. Says Edward Dudley, SU, “The opportunity to design abroad within a cross-cultural setting has proved to be an invaluable experience, one that will have a profound impact on my education.” Marnix de Jong, University of Delft, had this to say: “The different nationalities involved mean different opinions on designing, which make it more complicated—but more interesting. The pace is dynamic and decisions need to be made very fast. We are learning a lot more than we would on any one individual project.” For all the cultural differences in play, Lorenzo Paoli, University of Florence, said communication flows “through the common language of architecture.”

Students will present Powerpoints of their projects on Saturday, March -20 in the SUF Gallery, with a monetary prize awarded to the winning team.


Upcoming SUF Events

"Informal Networks"
Cecil Balmond, Structural Engineer, OVE ARUP, London
March 24, 2010
5pm – Salone Brunelleschi, Istituto degli Innocenti, Piazza SS Annunziata, Florence

Cecil Balmond, one of the world's most exceptional structural engineers and deputy Chairman of the Ove Arup Group in London, is best known for his inventive approach toward creatively applied mathematical formulas and art, which ultimately challenge the boundaries of architecture and structural engineering.

"Fascism: Past and Present"
Andrea Mammone
Kingston University London
Sponsored by Matteo Duni, Associate Professor, SUF
Monday, March 29, 2010

This lecture will briefly analyze the genesis and developments of fascism in inter-war Europe. It will then discuss the evolution of the extreme/radical right since 1945. With examples from contemporary Italy, France, England and the U.S., it will raise some doubts as to whether the contemporary extreme/radical right should be perceived as something particularly novel.
In this lecture, the idea of the existence of an alleged new “national populism” in Western Europe and the U.S. will be discussed, and challenged, showing that such parties still manifest fascist, xenophobic
and undemocratic tendencies.

All lectures, unless otherwise specified, will be held at 6:20pm, in room 13 of the Villa Rossa.