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The project is part of a series of interventions developed around the theme of Nature and the enhancement of the historical, artistic and spiritual heritage of the Monumental Complex of Santa Croce in Florence, the world’s largest Franciscan church, aimed at developing and increasing the usability of some parts of the complex.
The project consists of the realization, in the apsidal yard, of a botanical exhibition that tells the story of the garden of St. Francis, and in particular the uniqueness of the Saint’s thought with respect to the plant world, made with botanical species dear to him.
The display is enriched by a presentation of the project itself in the previous environment that connects the apsidal yard with the city, in the direction of the start of the Florentine stage of the Way of Francis.
With regard to the landscaping, the intervention consists in the creation of a flowerbeds made with the main botanical species linked for historical or cultural reasons to the figure of St. Francis, in order to communicate and highlight the link between them and the Saint.
As for the architectural component, some punctual interventions were carried out with the aim of improving the overall image of the apsidal yard and ensuring a better use of the spaces.
The installation dedicated to the botanical itinerary, designed by Aboca’s Communication Department to communicate the concept of the garden and the paths of St. Francis, includes the following elements:
In order to improve the overall image of the intervention area and ensure a better use of the spaces, new benches (designed by Studio Bellesi Giuntoli) are installed, using materials consistent with the historic context. At the same time as the installation of the benches, special paved spaces in pietra serena, limited in size to the footprint of the benches, were created within the flowerbeds.
In order to emphasize the presentation of the traditional crops of the St. Francis garden, a number of raised flowerbeds, made of wooden planks, held together by brass-plated iron angles, have been created.
Finally, the project includes the installation of vehicle barriers to protect the grapevine plants planted in the perimeter flowerbed of the parking lot from any mechanical damage.
