Restoration of the XVIII century Palazzina Lorenese, Fortezza da Basso in Florence

The compendium of the Fortezza da Basso – commissioned by Alessandro de Medici and to which Antonio da Sangallo the Younger drew the first design – is the first and fundamental “exhibition center” of Florence and its territorial area. On the occasion of the European Union Summit held in Florence in June 1996, the partial restoration of the Palazzina Lorenese, an eighteenth-century building inside the fortress, was carried out. This first intervention was followed by the completion of the restoration, between 2004 and 2007, until all the spaces were recovered and the facades restored, creating for the future exhibition spaces suitable for the now consolidated function of the complex. The restoration and functional recovery of the Palazzina Lorenese have configured complex design methods and techniques, relating to the principles of conservative restoration, as the theme of compatible transformation aimed at offering exhibition spaces and high-level offices in a historic and monumental environment.

PROJECT DATA

Locality: Florence
Client: Firenze Fiera Spa
Assignment: Final and Executive Design Project, Project Management
Design Date: 1995 and 2000
Date of Realization: 1996 and 2004-2007

With: arch. Francesco Gurrieri, arch. Federico Gurrieri, HYDEA Srl, Studio Ing. Enrico Sodi, Studio Lombardini Engineering, Protecno Srl

Construction Company: Figli di Augusto Lorenzini Spa