Apt once again undertook our annual studio conference, with this year’s visit taking us to the cobbled streets of Florence. The visit brought the studio together for three days of exploration, reflection and inspiration, a great opportunity to strengthen Apt’s fantastic team culture and experience one of the greatest examples of Renaissance architecture.
Our exploration began with the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world’s most celebrated art museums and an architectural landmark in its own right. Designed by Giorgio Vasari in the mid-16th century, the Uffizi now houses one of the greatest collections of Renaissance art and sculpture, providing the perfect venue to start our trip.
We continued our exploration through a tour of Florences best highlights, crossing the iconic Ponte Vecchio, one of the finest surviving examples of a medieval inhabited bridge, and visiting the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, or as it’s known locally, simply “the Duomo”. The awe-inspiring scale of the cathedral and the surrounding piazzas left a lasting impression: a reminder of the architectural ambition rooted in craftsmanship and ingenuity.
Florence is a city where past and present coexist effortlessly. The continuity of materiality, - the warm terracotta roofs, cool stone facades, and hand-forged ironwork - creates a visual and tactile richness that contrasts strikingly with the palette we’re used to in London. Experiencing this difference first-hand offered a deeper understanding of proportion, texture, and how architecture engages with the urban landscape.
The city’s urban fabric also provides insight into its ability to adapt and grow through history. Florence’s streets and piazzas were designed for people, not cars. Despite being centuries old, they continue to serve contemporary life beautifully. This capacity to evolve while retaining identity and respecting heritage is central to Florence’s success - and aligns closely with Apt’s philosophy of designing with respect for context and longevity.
Beyond the architecture, the trip fostered genuine connections. Shared meals, exploring together and testing our photography skills, camaraderie and shared experience. These moments away from our day-to-day projects strengthened relationships and reinvigorated our bond as a studio. We’ve returned with a renewed sense of curiosity and creative energy - reminded of how vital it is to see architecture in context. It challenges our assumptions, inspires us, and ensures we continue to grow as architects.
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