aCademiC Catalog 2013-2014 - Lorenzo de Medici

1.4 INSTITUTE SITES: Florence
As the birthplace of modern humanism, naturalistic arts and
scientific inquiry, Florence was the cradle of Renaissance
civilization, the place where Dante, Brunelleschi, Botticelli,
Leonardo da Vinci, Machiavelli and Galileo changed
forever the way we see the world. For centuries travelers
and admirers of art and culture have fallen in love with
this city and the countryside that surrounds it. Located in
the heart of Tuscany, Florence is the ideal destination for
those interested in studying humanities, art, design, Italian
language and culture. Extraordinarily rich in history and
ancient traditions, the city, with its world-famous artistic
heritage, offers the student a wide spectrum of cultural
events throughout the year. The city is also known for its
exceptional cuisine, characteristic restaurants, ice-cream
parlors, enoteche, elegant shops, artistic workshops and
traditional markets. As a thriving economic center with
particular strengths in the fashion, luxury goods and tourist
sectors, the city of Florence also offers its inhabitants the
chance to investigate myriad aspects of the contemporary
Italian world. In addition, Florence is an excellent location
for access to other places in Tuscany, Italy and Europe.
Four Schools and over thirty Departments at LdM
Florence permit study in a wide array of disciplines.
Interior Design and Architecture courses engage students
with the Italian tradition and innovation representing the
last word in areas from furniture, residential design, and
urban planning, to sustainability. Graphic Design students
develop professional printing skills in a commercial printing
center. The Department of Fashion Design, Marketing
and Merchandising trains professionals in all segments of
the fashion industry: the design students build the skills
to conceive and create a complete collection, while the
business students explore their field, from production to
retail. Restoration has consolidated a tradition of educating
conservators and restorers, who learn by working with
authentic artworks, and who are able to move between
technical and practical knowledge.
LdM in Florence is located in twelve campus buildings
(totaling 4,800 square meters) in the historic city center,
right next to the thriving San Lorenzo market and church and
close to transport facilities. Florence’s unique architectural
masterpiece, the Duomo, is within a short walk. Together,
the LdM buildings contain a full range of facilities including
numerous classrooms and large, specialized art studios.
They also contain a cafeteria, courtyard garden, library,
student point and computer center. The main LdM building
in Florence is situated in Via Faenza and dates back to
the 13th century. It originated as a convent connected to
a medieval church, San Jacopo in Campo Corbolini. This
church, now deconsecrated, was founded in 1206 and for
its first century belonged to the Knights Templar. Rich in
medieval frescoes and sculpture, the church has recently
been restored to its original splendor, and serves as the
setting for LdM conferences and receptions. Students and
professors from LdM’s Restoration Department were fully
involved in the restoration of the church interior. The most
recent addition to the campus is an entire floor of the
Palace of Palla Strozzi, built in the Renaissance, containing
a student lounge and 14 newly renovated classrooms for
Liberal Arts courses. This building on Piazza Strozzi now
connects LdM to another historical area of Florence which
is also a kind of hub for the arts and commerce.
LdM Academic Catalog 2013-2014
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