The New Medici’s Garden in Florence

The studio uses an iconic circular space in the historical center of Florence to explore and investigate the concept and idea of creating “the new Medici’s Garden in Florence;” a contemporary and innovative renaissance version of a park for the city of Florence. As a part of the process, students are required to create and identify a “Medici,”—a metaphor for a contemporary client from the field of modern and high-end fashion (e.g. Gucci, Armani, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent). Additionally, students need to incorporate a “villa”—a key element of Italian Renaissance Gardens—into their designs as well as the specific activities that take place within their gardens.