The world’s historic sites are too often left behind, and reuse is a generational choice to preserve continuity and build sustainably.
SUMMER SCHOOL ON ARCHITECTURAL REUSE is an intensive course designed to train the next generation of architects to meet this challenge. The program offers a full immersion in adaptive reuse, architectural restoration, and sustainable design through lectures and critiques with international practitioners and university professors, an applied design studio, a public exhibition, and a book publication.
The course is open to students and graduates in architecture, interior design, design, landscape, and art. It is a multidisciplinary experience meant to provide a complete framework for a critical approach to adaptive reuse projects, from concept development to construction issues.
Supported by the Municipality of Florence and HouseEurope, the Summer School will focus on a real case study: a former factory in Firenze to be transformed into social and affordable housing. Through this partnership, participants will develop concrete proposals for the future of this abandoned industrial area, offering citizens and stakeholders new scenarios for its regeneration.
THE 6th EDITION OF THE SUMMERCOURSE IN FLORENCE, ITALY
Experience adaptive reuse this summer through an immersive architecture programme in the heart of Florence. Engage in intensive learning, critical discussion and field-based activities, guided by world-class academics and leading practitioners. An opportunity to strengthen your portfolio and academic profile within a stimulating international environment.
WHEN
WHERE
WHO
WHAT
July 23rd - August 1st, 2026
Florence, Italy
Limited number upon selection
Learning adaptive reuse while developing a reactivation design proposal for an abandoned area, supported by the Municipality and local stakeholders
WHEN
JULY 23rd - August 1st, 2026
WHERE
Florence, Italy
WHO
participants selected through an application process
WHAT
learning adaptive reuse while developing a reactivation design proposal for an abandoned area, supported by the Municipality and local stakeholders
THE EXPERIENCE
Discover the course structure and schedule
LECTURES
The lecture series offers a comprehensive framework for adaptive reuse and architectural restoration, explored through a curated selection of themes and case-study projects. Delivered by distinguished professors alongside leading international firms, the sessions provide an authoritative overview of contemporary approaches to adaptive reuse and heritage conservation, bridging academic insight with professional practice.
DESIGN WORKSHOP
Following an on-site visit to the area of the former Campolmi factory in Firenze, participants working in teams will develop a concrete adaptive-reuse proposal in close collaboration with the Municipality of Florence. Guided by the teaching staff and supported by the lecturers’ expertise, the workshop will teach you how to translate site-specific analysis into a feasible design strategy, from concept definition to project development, including a mid-review of the ongoing projects.
PUBLIC EXHIBITION
As the concluding event of the Summer School, the final exhibition will showcase the projects developed by the participants and present them to the wider Florentine community. Organised in collaboration with the Municipality of Firenze, the exhibition will offer citizens the opportunity to engage with the proposed visions for reuse, highlighting the outcomes of the workshop and the dialogue between education, design practice, and the public realm.
BOOK PUBLICATION
At the end of the Summer School, the experience will be documented in a dedicated book publication gathering the key outcomes of the program. The book will present the partners’ work as exemplary case studies and will also feature the projects developed during the Summer School, supported by drawings, diagrams, and visual narratives, together with a curated synthesis of the lecture series and the main themes addressed throughout the course.
CASE STUDY
The case study is a fascinating forgotten factory on the outskirts of Florence, once called “Campolmi”. The factory and its surroundings have been abandoned since the 1980s, when a fire severely damaged the buildings. Since then, the site has remained a wound in the neighbourhood’s urban fabric, and local residents are still waiting for its rebirth. In partnership with the Municipality of Florence and the local community, we developed a proposal for social housing and a mix of public functions for the former “Campolmi” factory.
CASE STUDY
The case study is a fascinating, forgotten factory on the outskirts of Florence called “Campolmi.” The factory and its surroundings have been abandoned since the 1980s, when a fire severely damaged the buildings. Since then, the site has remained a wound in the neighbourhood’s urban fabric, and local residents are still waiting for its rebirth. In partnership with the Municipality of Florence and the local community, we developed a proposal for social housing and a mix of public functions for the former “Campolmi” factory.
GUESTS
H ARQUITECTES - XAVIER ROS
ARCHEA - LAURA ANDREINI
BRICOLO FALSARELLA
+ other guests to be announced
WHY REUSE BUILDINGS IN EUROPE TODAY?
Within the framework of a cultural partnership, we have involved some of Europe’s foremost organisations in the Summer School through interviews and written contributions. This dialogue allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the important work these exemplary organisations are undertaking in the field of adaptive reuse. Their cultural contribution helps shed light on the relevance of adaptive reuse today, its present challenges, and its future directions. Discover the work of European associations and organisations committed to the adaptive reuse of the built environment through their contributions and interviews.
↑ Have a look inside ↑
INFORMATION
The Summer School provides a detailed, recognised educational program, together with a certificate of participation, which can be used to apply for university or professional credits, subject to an agreement with your institution (CFU, ECTS, CATS, academic credits, credit hours, CEU, CPD, etc.).
Early bird registration (April 7th - May 4th) - EUR 1290,00 VAT INCLUDEDRegular registration (May 5th - at capacity) - EUR 1490,00 VAT INCLUDED
The participation fee does not include any accommodation. The organisation may provide discount codes for hotels and hostels to confirmed participants.
By submitting an application to the programme, participants confirm that they have read, understood, and agreed to the Summer School Terms and Conditions.
A limited number of places are available for this programme, we advice you to secure your place as soon as possible by completing the online application. Please note that your place will not be confirmed until you will finalise the full payment of the fees.
1. click on "Apply to the Summer School" 2. fill out the application form3. you will be contacted within 48 hours by our team to the provided email address (please check the spam folder)
Applicants must be aged 18 or over. The summer school is aimed at architecture/engineering/design students and young professionals who would like to improve their knowledge and practice of adaptive reuse and architecture restoration. Ideal participants are students at least in their second year of university or young professionals in their first years of work.
All applicants are encouraged to review the dedicated Italian Foreign Affairs Ministry webpage: https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/?lang=en_US
Participants are responsible for requesting their visa to enter Italy, when required. Please note that the organization cannot expedite the visa application and obtaining process in any way, but can provide an enrollment certificate if needed for the visa application procedure.
All Summer School-related questions can be sent via the portal: https://reuseitaly.zendesk.com/
For general questions you can email the organization at: support@reuseitaly.com
APPLICATION FORM
WHY JOIN THE 6th EDITION OF THIS SUMMER SCHOOL?
Learn from leading architects and scholars through lectures and critiques covering a wide range of topics in adaptive reuse
Work on a real case study in Florence, supported by the Municipality, and present your proposal to the local community
Get your work published in the final book
Meet participants from around the world and explore Florence in your free time
HEAR FROM OUR COMMUNITY
PREVIOUS EDITIONS
We already had five editions of the summer school, have a look at them:
