RESIDUAL MEMOIR

Addition to the New Humanities Library

Location: Piazza Brunelleschi, Florence, Italy

Term: Fall Semester 2017

Studio: Foreign Study Topic Studio 

Type: Academic Project, Individual 

The city of Florence, Italy in its nowadays conditions, is not merely a museum city any longer, as it has over gone through a series of inevitable changes due to immigration, tourism, political and social circumstances. Because of this reason, the city urges to search a redefined sense of identity.

In this search, Piazza Brunelleschi, holds significant importance in reference to political, social and historical aspects. Specifically, with the site being a previous meeting and starting point for political riots back in the 1960’s. Movements such as the  Movimento Studentesco Fiorentino, or the Florentine Student Movement of 1968.

Since identity is directly related to a place where experiences and moments happen. Within an instant, identity is always evolving. The proposed design aims to be a medium in which a redefined Florentine identity can be expressed.

In an attempt to express such, a series of studies where made in which the project evolved. The essence of the study holds the left over and junk spaces, that were captured through a series of photo montages, plans and sections of the existing building at Piazza Brunelleschi. Such spaces where chosen for their physical architectural elements that are traditional to its Florentine context. The abstraction depicts the absence of such elements, resulting in a residual memoir. 

With residuals being composed in categorical stages, a series of possibilities evolved in which a study of light vs. darkness, open vs. closed and public vs. private where made. Creating a space that worked as a collaborating body to express, create, generate and excite identity for the citizens of Florence, while acting as a mediator between the student force and the increasing weaves of excessive tourism in the city of Florence.