A NEW FACADE FOR "San Lorenzo"

Desirable international contest of virtual architectural and engineering design
in competition with Michelangelo.

Since 1992 in VIVAHOTELS was born the idea to contribute to Florence’s artistic and cultural environment, by announcing an international contest of virtual architectural and engineering design titled
“A new facade for San Lorenzo: virtual competition with Michelangelo”

The idea was accepted by the Romualdo Del Bianco Foundation, Florentine institution born in 1998, with the aim of organising initiatives involving university students of Centre East Europe, Eurasia, Asia and Far East.
The Foundation has promoted the idea of the international contest either to Florence City Municipality and to the Superintendence of Artistic and Historical heritage as well as to other Florentine institutions. The response was positive with the obvious advices of attention and care that the message was perceived as it is: an international “virtual” contest.

We wish to precise that the whole project is only a contests of ideas, not finalised to find a real solution. The project should be realised in the respect of the city, of the tourists and of the Superintendence, without disturbing neither the citizens, nor the Administrative offices.

Draft of the Project:

International contest of virtual architectural and engineering design
“A new facade for San Lorenzo: virtual competition with Michelangelo”

The project is articulated within 3 years:

1° year

Realisation of a fleeting facade of San Lorenzo, without direct contact with the church, based on the Michelangelo project. The façade will be displayed for a winter fall.

2° year

- Announcement of International Contest among a selected and restricted number of the most famous contemporary architects, engineers and artists for the project of the facade of San Lorenzo;
- presentation of the works
- involvement of the Tourist who will be asked to express his evaluation about the work and who will be informed about the final decision of the Jury.
- final decision made by an high qualified Jury.

3° year

Realisation of a fleeting facade based on the winner project. The Tourist will be involved in expressing his evaluation about the work. The façade will be displayed for a winter fall.

Final phase

Comparison between the first facade, Michelangelo project, and the winner of the international virtual contest.

Click here to read the history of Michelangelo's project