University of Urbino School of Economy

First established as a convent in the fourteenth century, this educational complex in the historic hill town of Urbino was created from an aggregate of varied buildings, known locally as “Battiferri”, that were built over the span of 400 years. In collaboration with Architect Giancarlo De Carlo, the project began with a detailed survey of the existing built fabric to determine a construction and spatial chronology.  Superfluous additions were demolished and the remaining primary buildings restored and altered as required to accommodate the new program. The main auditorium was placed below the rear garden, just inside the path of the ancient Roman wall that defined the original boundary of this quintessential hill town. The final assemblage of buildings are grouped around two casual courtyards from which rise two stair towers, the only obvious external interventions. Michael Costantin acted as project architect on this work while at Studio De Carlo, Milan, Italy.