Multi-story yellow building with symmetrical windows, staircases, and a well-kept green courtyard with a tree of the Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florence

Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz

Modern design and technical sophistication in ancient walls

This Max Planck Institute is a German institution for science and culture abroad and an internationally respected institution for the study of Italian art and architectural history in its European, Mediterranean and global context. Two theoretical departments, two independent junior researchers and several research groups are currently conducting research here.

Tiled roof with view of old town buildings and cathedral dome under blue sky. — **Rooftop view of Florence**

**Rooftop view of Florence**

The Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz (KHI) has been part of the MPG since 2002. The Institute's library contains around 354,000 volumes, including rare prints and manuscripts from the last five centuries. The photo library represents one of the world's most extensive collections of Italian art history. For conservation reasons, suitable storage for the particularly valuable books was no longer guaranteed.

Since the Institute was taken over by the MPG, the importance of research work at the KHI has increased noticeably, which has also increased the need for office workspaces.

Modern, circular lighting design in the white corridor leading to the Institute's glass, interior entrance door, overlooking the sunny street, from the top level via two, three-step staircases — **Welcome!** Modernized entrance hallway before commissioning

**Welcome!** Modernized entrance hallway before commissioning

In October 2017, the funding providers finally approved the purchase of a neighboring property and the building application for a building renovation of the property for the KHI.

For the planned use by the Kunsthistorische Institut, extensive renovation and conversion work had to be carried out, which due to the circumstances could only be implemented with great sensitivity.

Measures

The measures included in particular the reinforcement of the interior walls and the ceilings of the upper floors in order to comply with the officially required earthquake and fire protection, as well as some necessary adjustments to ensure the required ceiling load-bearing capacity.

Rooms in the basement that had been filled with rubble were reactivated by clearing them out and lowering the floor level there.

artfully laid cable bundles — **Artfully laid cable bundles** - KHI Florenz

**Artfully laid cable bundles** - KHI Florenz

In addition to extensive air conditioning and the necessary fire protection monitoring of the areas, it was also necessary to replace all of the building's technical systems.