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“All of Architecture’s excellence comes from Light; Architecture is the distribution of Light” said Antoni Gaudí at the end of the XIX^th century. It is too simplistic to just use light to reveal volumes in space. Light is much more: it is not just a tool for solving functional problems but also emphasizes the personality of the architectural element, communicating different emotions to the observer.

There is a wide range of different technologies and accessories available. The ability to focus on the kind of result to be achieved and the best tools for realizing the same, is the key to commercial success.

The Workshop is a unique opportunity for gaining specialist knowledge about the lighting of prestigious environments, whilst respecting the architecture and its identity as well as the various functional and practical problems involved. Special attention will be paid to the possibility of changing the image of a venue for special occasions or specific requirements using only light.

Forte Belvedere, Florence. A XVI^thcentury fortress designed by Architect Bernardo Buontalenti for the Medici Family. A beautiful architectural jewel overlooking the city of Florence which is visible from every part of the old town centre. It is currently open to the public and hosts many exceptional temporary exhibitions.

A lighting project for the case study selected will be drawn up by groups under the expert guidance of the teacher who will follow every phase of the project’s development. On-site inspections will be organized during the day and at night. Participants will be divided into groups in order to draw up the project which will be presented to a number of journalists and local authorities at the end of the workshop.

The training course will consist of four days of lessons, held from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Every day there will be two coffee breaks, at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Lunch will be at 1:00 p.m. Lessons will finish at 8.00 p.m. on November 25^th after the final presentation.

Forte Belvedere was built between 1590 and 1595 and was called Fortezza di Santa Maria in San Giorgio del Belvedere, according to the wishes of Ferdinando I de’ Medici, the son of Cosimo I.

Architect Bernardo Buontalenti was responsible for the design and realization of the Forte. He had been a close friend of Cosimo I and his son, when they were the Grand Dukes of Florence. Construction began in the historical period in which the Medici, who had only just returned to Florence after the siege of 1529, wanted to defend themselves inside the city from the Republicans.

The Architect followed the theoretical concepts of modern fortifications. In particular Buontalenti designed what was, for that period, a futuristic fortified façade, especially on the external side. His project was inspired by Antonio da Sangallo, the young artist. Michelangelo, the fortification’s engineer-in-chief during that period, identified the place where the Forte was built as a very important strategic location during the siege of Florence.

The fortress was also designed to store the Medici family’s treasures following the recent discovery of a wide space at the bottom of a deep well inside the hill in the middle of the central palace. This space was protected by lethal traps which were triggered if the system was forced open.

As in other works by Buontalenti, the originality of the Forte Belvedere, an “urban” fortress with a prestigious finish, is apparent in the unique construction details of both the fortress and the internal three storey Villa, the elegant, white Palazzetto Belvedere, which overlooks the whole construction. This building was the Grand Duke’s residence during periods of danger, such as epidemics. The Palazzetto did not comply with the military principles of the rest of the fortress, but its white walls remain a visible sign of the dominance of the Medici family. In order to increase its defensive capacity, the upper floor could only be reached from one entrance, up a very narrow staircase built into the walls, which was very easy to defend.

Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo opened this incomparable balcony onto Florence to his subjects at the end of the eighteenth century, after he disposed of the Tuscan army who had supervised the Forte for over a century.

Today the Forte Belvedere hosts many exceptional temporary exhibitions. It offers one of the most beautiful views of the city and is visible throughout the old town centre of Florence.

Her chosen medium is light, which she applies to everything. A product of Buffalo, New York, where she studied theater and lighting design at the State University of New York, Anne Militello began by organizing the lighting for punk rock clubs in San Francisco in the late 1970s. She then moved to New York City in the early 80’s where she continued to provide music lighting for legendary clubs and also began her career in theater which eventually led to Broadway shows.
After accepting a position at Walt Disney Imagineering where she stayed for 4 years, she relocated to Los Angeles where, in 1996, she founded Vortex Lighting, currently located in Hollywood CA. The company is mainly involved in providing lighting for architectural projects, while Ms. Militello and her staff also continue designing for major theater and concert productions, as well as creating art installations.

In the theater she has worked with playwrights such as Sam Shepard, Bill Hart and David Lynch for productions featuring many famous Hollywood stars. She has also worked on concerts and tours with musicians such as Tom Waits, Pearl Jam, Lou Reed and many others.
The many prizes she has won in her career include the OBIE Award for Sustained Excellence in Lighting Design, the Paul Waterbury Award of Distinction for a design for Times Square, the Lighting Designer of the Year Themed Project Award as well as International Illumination Design Awards.

She has also won the Lumen Award, the IALD Award and the International Illumination Design Award for the New 42nd Street Studios, New York, designed by Charles Platt and Ray Dovell of the firm Platt Byard Dovell Architects. This largely glass building was designed to be a real "structure of light": by day, when it stands as a work of post-modern architecture; and by night, when it is an extravaganza of light and motion offering a hint of the creative processes being developed inside.

Anne is also a distinguished teacher and has been a guest lecturer at various universities and institutes including the New York Univeristy, Texas Christian University,California Institute of the Arts, Southern California Institute of Architecture, Arts Center College of Design and University of Florida at Gainseville to name just a few. Many articles, interviews and publications have been written about her works.

In order to maximize the learning process and guarantee direct contact with the lecturers, a limited number of students will be accepted on the course. Registration will be on a first come first served basis, according to the date on which the registration form is sent by fax, along with a receipt of payment, to +39 055 3791394.

La Sfacciata, Via Volterrana 82 – 50023 Firenze (Italy), XV^th century Villa located on a hill near the Certosa Monastery and the old historical centre of the Town, Fondazione Targetti headquarters.

Upon request participants will be offered details of a hotel selected on the basis of its competitive prices and proximity to the city center and the course venue. Participants will be offered accommodation at special rates.

Participants may use the free shuttle bus service between the course venue and the hotel selected. The shuttle will depart from the square in front of the hotel at 8:30 a.m. and will leave the course venue at 6:00 p.m.