Preface

Prof. Arch. Giuseppe De Luca

Università degli Studi di Firenze Dipartimento di Architettura DIDA

The S.P.A.C.E. Project is a bridge between native Mediterranean cultures; it is a bridge between two cities which have deeply affected the human history; it is a bridge between academic realities who share the universal sensible approach to the project and the idea that young students and researchers, facing international realities, have to pursue and practice this approach. A bridge is not only a link between cultures, but it is the mixer of cultures with the aim to bring out the differences and affinities, and also to make new shared shapes of space projects and projects in the space. The seminar, of which some parts are described in the book, it’s a wonderful experience to learn and to be familiar with professors and students with two different cultures, traditions and temperaments, as well as an opportunity to try out new practices and techniques in art and architecture. The Faculty of Architecture of the University of Florence sharing this spirit, has approved, pursued and supported this project, with the Academy of Fine Arts of Florence. Conversing and working together are one of the most important opportunities which could be made by freeminds, to accustom new generations to the comparison curiosity and to sharing the own experiences and stories. The enormous historic, artistic, cultural and environmental heritage, as well as the contemporary lifestyles diffused in the two cities of the project, has been the place where to explore this conversation and where to ask ourselves how, in this period of globalization and of justin-time informations, working with people around a table is essential. If architecture is the biggest expression of the human being and creativity, exploring and sharing it together around intercultural tables is one of the most important development moments which could be offered by the teacher community to their students. For this reason I’m grateful to all of the teachers who, working together, have allowed this.