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The project for the former San Gallo Military Hospital in Florence arises from the need to reconnect an urban complex that has long been isolated from the city’s fabric. The proposal aims to overcome the separation imposed over time—especially by the wall along Via Cavour—by restoring vitality and accessibility through new pedestrian paths and public spaces linking Via San Gallo and Via Cavour.

The concept is based on the idea of the “cut” as an opportunity for reconnection: new passages, courtyards, and an urban gallery are inserted into the most fragile areas of the complex, creating a network of pathways and plazas that reopen the site to the city. These interventions, conceived as urban voids, introduce a variety of public and semi-public spaces that encourage social interaction and flexible use.

The design strategy enhances the site’s historical stratification by reinterpreting Florentine architectural elements in a contemporary key. New volumes — such as the gallery building — engage in dialogue with the existing structures, marking the rebirth of the complex and highlighting the richness of the historical fabric through contrast. Careful attention to materials and light gives new meaning and identity to the spaces, integrating hospitality, residential, and commercial functions.

With this transformation, the San Gallo complex evolves from a closed-off enclave into a new urban hub, welcoming city life and offering a thoughtful reflection on the relationship between memory, innovation, and public space in the heart of Florence.

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