Ciao, Firenze!
UMD's School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation Debuts Alumni Travel Experience in Florence, Italy
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"This trip was magic." - Mark McInturff
This October, four MAPP alumni joined Dean Dawn Jourdan, Associate Dean Brian Kelly and Chief Development Officer Leia Livingston for MAPP's innaugural alumni travel experience, a bespoke five-day tour of Florence, Italy. With Kelly as their guide, three of MAPP's first graduating class of 1972— Steve Parker, Mark McInturff and Ron Stup—their travel companions and HISP graduate Daniel Hayes traversed Florence's historic streets and piazzas; learned the history of its architectural and cultural treasures; sketched, ate and soaked in the beauty of Tuscany; connected with University of Maryland architecture students in residence at the International Studies Institute/Florence; and enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at contemporary architecture practice in Italy.
Interested in joining MAPP on its next adventure? Scroll down for more information about becoming a "MAPPMaker" through MAPP's alumni travel experiences!
Right: A full moon and Jupiter over the Ponte Vecchio (courtesy of Ron Stup)
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Day One: Benvenuto!
MAPP Makers were welcomed by students and staff at the International Studies Institute (ISI) and tour ISI's home base: Palazzo Rucellai, a Renaissance palace designed by the renowned humanist and architect Leon Battista Alberti.
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Welcome Reception: ISI Florence
Alums ate, drank and dished on study abroad experiences with the 11 UMD students currently studying in Florence through ISI.
"My favorite part? ALL of Florence and, of course, the dinners that Brian so expertly arranged— particularly the one with the students. It all took me back!" —Mark McInturff '72
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Day 2: Sketching the City
Professor Brian Kelly led a guided tour of the architectural marvels of Florence, from the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella to the Florence Cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo.
Right: Terps with Terps! Our alums pose in front of the basilica under an obelisk held by—you guessed it—tartarughe!
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Sketching the Basilica
Mark McInturff stops to sketch the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella in the bustling piazza.
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Exploring Firenze
The group explores the Florence grid in the Piazza della Repubblica.
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"It was all great fun."
"Brian was amazing, leading us on walking tours throughout Firenze and explaining not just the history of buildings and spaces but what influences caused their creation."- Steve Parker, '72
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Day 3: Studio Ponzi and Student Crits
A walk across the Ponte Amerigo Vespucci to Studio Ponzi, the workspace of 2017 Kea Distinquished Professor Andrea Ponzi.
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Palazzo Bargagli (ISI Florence Studios)
Members of MAPP's first class chat with UMD students about their work and experiences studying abroad.
"One of my special memories of the trip was travelling again with some of my classmates and meeting the current students and critiquing their presentations and projects. We were quite rusty but enjoyed the discussion about developing an urban piazza; we later discovered it while walking in Firenze." — Steve Parker, '72
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Designing Today's Urban City
Students from ISI's Advanced Topical Design Studio present to Dean Jourdan, Brian Kelly and MAPP alumni. That evening, they re-connected for a fun and relaxing dinner at Riatorante la Spada.
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Day 4: Touring Florence's Hillside Villas
Alumni took to the hills of Florence with ISI's Silvia Catitti to tour the stunning Villa Medici in Fiesole and Villa Gamberaia.
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The group poses amongst the lush gardens of the Villa with a gorgeous Tuscan backdrop.
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Mark McInturff's sketch of Villa Medici, in pen and ink.
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Villa Gamberaia
A favorite among historians and architects alike, the 17th century Italian villa is known for its magnificent gardens overlooking the Arno Valley.
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Day 5: Fratelli Piccini Maison
Carlo Achilli, UMD's faculty partner at ISI Florence, hosted the group for a tour of his renovation of the historic Frantelli Piccini Jewellers on the Ponte Vecchio (“Old Bridge”).
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Become a MAPPMaker!
MAPPMaker travel experiences connect our alumni to the wonders and culture of a global built environment through tailored tours and experiences with MAPP faculty. Interested in joining us on our next adventure? Fill out this quick survey, here. Questions? Contact Leia Livingston at ledroll@umd.edu.