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As the end of the semester approaches, I am always happy to see the energy and enthusiasm Architecture and Interior Design students put in presenting their studio projects. Palazzo Vettori takes on a life of its own the last weeks of the semester, students busy 24/7 to finalize their projects for final reviews and for the Most Inspiring Students’ Projects competition which professor Paola Giaconia set up in Spring 2013 Once again, for the fourth year, I am pleased with this publication, which collects the works and, over time, will provide important documentation of the activity of the KSUFlorence Program in Architecture and in Interior Design. The studio projects were quite challenging for our students, both sites being so relevant for Florentines: Architecture studios) has the potential to become one of the most lively public spaces in the city, its proximity to Piazza del Duomo and to the Ospedale degli Innocenti providing true assets for its future development; Design studios) is a very grand prototype of medieval architecture and was the seat of the City Council in the decade when Florence was capital of Italy.
As director of the school, I am also very intrigued seeing students’ explorations and design proposals for our city. Their restless explorations result in lively discussions on the occasion of midterm and final reviews. I especially commend the students whose project is featured in these pages. They all demonstrated high commitment to their work. I am sure that absorbing the vitality of Florence’s art and culture during this semester has been especially beneficial for them all. Finally, I congratulate their professors (prof. Filippo Caprioglio, prof. Enzo Fontana, prof. Alberto Francini, prof. Paola Giaconia, prof. Andrea Ponsi, prof. Fabio Barluzzi and prof. Federico Grazzini), whose intellectual and artistic abilities I am very aware of. I know well what each of them had to offer to our younger generation of designers. A special note goes to Professor Paola Giaconia, whose work as coordinator of the KSU-Florence Program in Architecture and Interior Design is invaluable. Thank you all for your intense work!