XIUJIN LIU



In this project, I try to explore Florence City. My biggest feeling about Florence is its conflict and contradiction. Its central area is bustling and gorgeous Italian buildings and wide squares. In addition to the central area, it is closely arranged houses. Walking in Florence Town, you will have two totally different urban experiences. The huge sense of separation makes you aware of the conflict. However, On the other hand, Florence cathedral is perfectly integrated with its surrounding buildings.




I try to focus on Florence Cathedral, which is a building symbolize the spiritual freedom. It was made of marble, and has large dome, which indicate that it is a traditional Italian building with a lot of details. In a addition, I pay more attention to the relationship between Cathedral and its surroundings.




Florence Cathedral is totally different from its surroundings. Cathedral is magnifcent, 357feets high, made of marble, and it have large dorm. However, normal buildings are always made of red bricks, and is tiny, concise. This two different buildings combine together to form a contradictory but charming perspective.
Also, Florence Cathedral could integrate with its surroundings perfectly. We have to go straight into the square and look up to see the facade of the main church. The square and the surrounding streets are densely lined with various shops. People come and go, very prosperous. Unlike Pisa Pisa, this group of buildings seems to be a special display for people to enjoy, but happily crowded in the vortex of citizens' daily life.
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In this ANT map, I mainly explore the reason why, Florence Catheral could conflict and also integrate with normal buildings:  Florence usually produce red bricks, which is cheap and marble are rare and expensive at that time, thus normal buildings can't afford the marble, red bricks is available and convenient for redsident, forming the collision between various materials.  normal buildings is usually used for residence and daily life, so there are less detail on them. However, Florence Cathedral is used for breaking through the spiritual autocracy of the church in architecture. The function determine how many details they have. The cathedral serves religious culture and embodies a solemn atmosphere. Ordinary houses serve tourists and residents and reflect the enthusiastic and optimistic life attitude of local people.
Also, I explore the urban expericence,  After the early Renaissance, Florence was no longer the main focus of architectural activities. In addition, Italians have the tradition of retaining old buildings. In the following hundreds of years, the transformation of Florence was limited. So what we can see today is Florence close to the early Renaissance. The architectural style at that time was basically like this. Although today's Florence looks as if it had "no exterior decoration" and looks very simple, at that time, compared with other Italian cities in that period, such Florence was quite luxurious. However, other cities later built more gorgeous buildings, but Florence was fixed in the Renaissance.




In this part, I want to pay more attention to adding modern lifestyle to these traditional buildings and add change its function, add more vitality to Florence City. First, according research, I find that a lot of young Italian people like to draw on the wall, so I add some painting on the wall and ground, also old resident always play guitar on the square, so I add some people activities to increase the vitality of the city. Finally, at night, I add some light to warm up the atmosphere.