Dezeen School Shows: an education centre geared toward the creation of contemporary art is featured in this school show by Florence Institute of Design International.

Also included is an alternative health centre and wellness sanctuary in Berlin and an affordable housing scheme set in an adaptively reused former car park.

Institution: Florence Institute of Design International (FIDI)
Course: BA (Hons) Design
Tutors: Alejandro Amador, Giovanni Pierantoni, Marc DiDomenico, Lorenzo Massini and Federico Grazzini

School statement:

“FIDI is an international design school located in the centre of Florence, Italy.

“The Design Research Project and Building Systems courses are held during the final year of the three-year interior design programme.

“Each design proposal is approximately 3,000 square meters and is developed individually by each student in relation to societal and cultural developments, with an emphasis on sustainable solutions.

“Renderings, plans and sections are accompanied by extensive studies of building system design, lighting acoustics and casework details.

“The three-year programme offers intensive curriculum teaching on various aspects of interior design to acquire advanced skills and knowledge and develop professional practitioners within the international design community.

“The courses resulted in a validated bachelor’s degree, BA (Hons) Design, issued in collaboration with the University of Chester.”

Harmony by David Gitterle

“As a cultural centre for musical arts, Harmony is a platform for local emerging talents, musical enthusiasts, tourists and daily passersby.

“It features a versatile program, ranging from a contemporary concert hall to a public rooftop park.

“Located in the centre of Florence, the historic site – once a cinema – will continue to be used as an entertainment facility”

Student: David Gitterle
Course: Design Research Project and Building Systems
Tutors: Alejandro Amador, Federico Grazzini and Marc DiDomenico
Email: david[at]gitterle.at

Vehicles of Change by Carl Phiroze Motiwalla

“This project created a solution to affordable housing, awarding access to young environmental entrepreneurs.

“The site chosen is a 1920s parking garage in Florence, originally designed by Pier Luigi Nervi.

“The four-storey reinforced concrete structure will house apartments, recreational facilities, study and work spaces as well as a food hall.

“It is a space with a balanced ergonomic design, sustainable practices and a self-sustaining social system.”

Student: Carl Phiroze Motiwalla
Course: Design Research Project and Building Systems
Tutors: Alejandro Amador, Giovanni Pierantoni and Marc DiDomenico
Email: carlmotiwalla[at]gmail.com

Crematorium Carlsbad by Eliška Vágnerová

“Eliska’s design research project expands upon the idea that in the context of late modernity, architecture bears the responsibility of shaping new funerary rituals, without the constraints of religious doctrines.

“The site is located in Carlsbad, Czech Republic.

“The aim of the project is to replace the conventional architectural language of symbols with a language of metaphors, based on the idea that symbols possess an unequivocal meaning and intellectual formula, while a metaphor is an image whose meaning is indefinite.

“Eliška designed a carefully thought-out program which includes a mortuary, autopsy room, lounge, farewell service, offices and auditoriums.”

Student: Eliška Vágnerová
Course: Design Research Project and Building Systems
Tutors: Alejandro Amador, Federico Grazzini and Marc DiDomenico
Email: eliska[at]vagnerova.archi

Sipario by Julia Ruth Agnes Holmgren

“This project proposes a community centre that is situated in a disused military storage unit from the 1930s.

“Julia’s concept for the community centre is ‘living room’ – creating possibilities for social interactions through multi-functional spaces.

“Comfort, informality, imagination, openness and investigation are the themes that directed her to design a space which becomes an obvious meeting point for all generations in the neighborhood.

“The centre includes a youth club, art studios, a cinema and study spaces as well as a new public plaza.”

Student: Julia Ruth Agnes Holmgren
Course: Design Research Project and Building Systems
Tutors: Alejandro Amador, Giovanni Pierantoni and Marc DiDomenico
Email: juliaholmgren97[at]gmail.com

Arbusto by Alessio Mongardi

“Arbusto is a centre for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-related abuse, which serves as a transitional step between shelter and independent life.

“The design approach embraces the patients’ experiences, allowing them to share, grow and heal.

“The design philosophy follows the metaphor offered by tiles, a material which can be fragile and easily broken in its singular form, yet is resilient and strong once bonded all together.”

Student: Alessio Mongardi
Course: Design Research Project and Building Systems
Tutors: Alejandro Amador, Giovanni Pierantoni, Marc DiDomenico and Lorenzo Massini
Email: mongardialessio[at]gmail.com

House of Como by Vendela Sofia Molin

“Vendela designed a contemplative retreat dedicated to improving mental wellness – the primary objective was to design a space that offers respite from the daily stress and routines of life.

“By composing activity areas to facilitate various activities – from art performance to hydrotherapy – the retreat aims to offer both mental and physical stimulation.

“The 3700 sqm site is divided into four buildings and three courtyards, and the proposed layout, together with the choice of materials, encourages the visitors to explore the retreat.”

Student: Vendela Sofia Molin
Course: Design Research Project and Building Systems
Tutors: Alejandro Amador, Federico Grazzini and Marc DiDomenico
Email: molinvendela[at]hotmail.com

Kalmar by Gisela Kristina Madeleine Albinsson Pihlsjo

“Kalmar is a proposed design research and art centre in the south of Sweden.

“With multiple activities on each level, the idea is to encourage spontaneous interactions for visitors, allowing them to develop new interests and relationships with both the art around them and the people they encounter.

“It is a space where people can attend lectures, events and workshops – Each room uses a specific set of carefully curated materials that work in harmony to create a coherent aesthetic throughout the building.”

Student: Gisela Kristina Madeleine Albinsson Pihlsjo
Course: Design Research Project and Building Systems
Tutors: Alejandro Amador, Federico Grazzini and Marc DiDomenico
Email: gisela.albinsson[at]icloud.com

Centre of African Sculpture by Clare Japhet

“This research project reimagines a decolonised space for African sculpture and artists in Europe.

“Located in the Valle de Merse, just south of Siena, the site contains a Romanesque and Gothic-Cistercian monastery which has fallen into ruin.

“This museum will use immersive representation and interpretation techniques to increase cross-cultural understanding of the sculptures and the people or groups represented.

“The project is developed around the concept of magical realism, including themes such as ritual, memory and light – the design incorporates a series of exhibition spaces dedicated to various rituals.”

Student: Clare Japhet
Course: Design Research Project and Building Systems
Tutors: Alejandro Amador, Giovanni Pierantoni, Marc DiDomenico and Lorenzo Massini
Email: clare.japhet[at]gmail.com

Artecraft by Wilma Ida Hildeby

“Artecraft is a space that makes the education of contemporary art accessible for more people.

“It is a school which offers an environment for students to find their own artistic language in addition to understanding the language of contemporary art.

“The project repurposes the former tram depot building of Varlungo, Florence, which was built in 1890.”

Student: Wilma Ida Hildeby
Course: Design Research Project and Building Systems
Tutors: Alejandro Amador, Federico Grazzini and Marc DiDomenico
Email: wilma.hildeby[at]gmail.com

Bomiso by Karolin Schlinke

“Bomiso, an innovative alternative healing centre located in the heart of Berlin, harmoniously merges design with emotional resonance.

“This sanctuary celebrates imperfection, intertwining with Berlin’s historical narrative, providing a transformative journey of healing and self-discovery, drawing inspiration from the Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi as the guiding concept.

“Integrating intentional design, natural elements, historical context and the essence of Kintsugi, it goes beyond traditional health centres, embodying a healing approach where past wounds are embraced as sources of strength and beauty.

“With dedicated spaces for therapy activities and wellness areas, it offers a comprehensive approach to holistic healing and showcases how we can use design to evoke emotions within environments.”

Student: Karolin Schlinke
Course: Design Research Project and Building Systems
Tutors: Alejandro Amador, Federico Grazzini and Marc DiDomenico
Email: k.schlinke1[at]gmail.com

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Florence Institute of Design International. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.