Department Introduction

Introduction

The history of the Department of Architecture in Florence is rooted in an illustrious heritage, linked to the historic Academy of Arts and Design founded by Cosimo de’ Medici in 1563.

The modern university programme took shape in 1927 as a Higher School, officially becoming a Faculty in 1936.

In 2013, following a major reorganisation, the current Department of Architecture (DIDA) was established. Our history reflects the prestige of intellectuals,  world-renowned lecturers and designers — such as Giovanni Michelucci, Umberto Eco and Renzo Piano — who have helped to make our School great.

Today, DIDA is one of the leading centres of excellence at the University of Florence (UNIFI). Our academic and educational identity is rooted in the culture and science of design, understood as a synthesis of aesthetic and humanistic, technical and scientific, and economic and organisational disciplines.

We offer a unique, nationally recognised interdisciplinary approach, encompassing fields ranging from architectural, urban and landscape design to restoration, design and fashion. Our aim is to train well-informed professionals, promoting cultural growth, scientific progress and regional development.

The Department aims to establish itself as an attractive centre of international renown.

Through the innovative DiDALabs system and a strong commitment to digital innovation, we aim to lead the transformation of physical space towards increasingly sustainable development models. Our research, teaching and third-mission activities are closely aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN’s 2030 Agenda, with a particular focus on climate change adaptation and social inclusion,  to the ‘reuse first’ principle and urban regeneration.

By drawing on Florence’s extraordinary cultural and artistic heritage, DIDA fosters an ongoing dialogue between history and innovation. We look to the future by forging strategic partnerships with metropolitan organisations whilst, at the same time, strengthening our global network, which now comprises over 120 international collaborations. The primary objective for the coming years is to export the excellence of the Italian educational and design model to the world, by proactively addressing the major contemporary challenges of housing.