Florence, May 21, 2025 – LUCA DINI Design & Architecture, one of Italy’s leading architecture studios based in Florence, has been selected for the redevelopment of Via Palazzuolo in the Tuscan capital. The urban and social regeneration project, named “Recreos”, is promoted by the CR Firenze Foundation.

The initiative was officially presented today with the signing of the memorandum of understanding, in the presence of Sara Funaro, Mayor of Florence; Barnabò Bocca, President of the CR Firenze Foundation; and Luca Dini, founder and CEO of the architecture studio.

“Recreos” aims to restore dignity to this urban area, transforming it into a model of livability, inclusion, and spatial quality. It also seeks to revitalize the local economic and artisanal fabric by promoting the rediscovery of public spaces as places of encounter and shared growth.

At the heart of the project, designed by LUCA DINI Design & Architecture, is the complete transformation of Via Palazzuolo into an accessible and pedestrian-friendly urban corridor. The plan includes removing the height difference between the street and the sidewalk to create a continuous, barrier-free surface. Parking spaces will be reduced and replaced with trees, giving visibility to shop windows and providing shade for pedestrians along this key street near Piazza Santa Maria Novella and the central train station.

This approach is designed to encourage pedestrian mobility and the revival of local businesses. Via Palazzuolo will become a low-traffic street, returning public space to the community and making room for outdoor events and cultural activities.

The project places great emphasis on the quality and sustainability of materials, favoring local solutions such as Alberese stone. Green areas equipped with seating, diffused lighting, and carefully considered design details will enhance the architectural context and create a safe and welcoming environment. The studio also plans to display contemporary artworks by young artists in an open-air gallery.

Luca Dini, founder and CEO of LUCA DINI Design & Architecture, commented:
"We are honored to have been selected for a visionary project that combines territory and renewal. Recreos is above all a gesture of care for a part of the city we want to bring back to life. Redeveloping Via Palazzuolo means restoring dignity to urban space while reactivating the productive and social heart of Florence. We want this to become once again a vibrant street, full of connections, workshops, and artisanal excellence that narrate the most authentic identity of the city. It’s a way to consciously and contemporarily revive the Florence of the past. Our studio is very active internationally—with projects like Sindalah Island and many works in countries such as Albania—but our roots are here in Florence, and we are thrilled to combine our teams’ expertise to deliver a renewed space that helps citizens rediscover the value of proximity."