Contact Us
info@palazzorucellai.org
Tel: +39 055-2645910
Fax: +39 055-2646721

Institute at Palazzo Rucellai
Via della Vigna Nuova, 18
Florence, Italy 50123

Carlo Achilli, Laurea, M.Sc., MIT, Licensed Architect - Architecture

Courses taught at Palazzo Rucellai 
Advanced Architectural Design Studio 
Architecture in Italy: History and Preservation

Credentials 
Master of Science in Management of Culture Heritage | Historical Districts & Landscape 
University of Rome, La Sapienza - School of Architecture and Planning - 2002

Master of Science in Architecture Studies, Architecture & Urbanism 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA - 1999 

Laurea in Architettura - Professional Degree in Architecture - 1996 
University of Rome, La Sapienza - School of Architecture and Planning 

Licensed Architect, Italy | Ordine degli Architetti di Terni n° 287 - 1997 


Relevant Projects / Publications 
• 1997 HOTEL PALAZZO PICCOLOMINI, XVI Century, Orvieto, Italy: Architectural Project of rehabilitation, consolidation & reuse of the building Palazzo Piccolomini, converted into four stars hotel. (Forthcoming July , 2007 in Architectural Digest). 
• 2007 PALAZZO BARBERINO-TAFANI, XV Century, Florence, Italy: Project Manager, responsible for Architectural Design, Executive Drawings & Construction: the design proposal included architectural survey, restoration, rehabilitation & reuse for luxury residences 
• 2005 Former PALAZZO DEL TRIBUNALE, Contemporary building, Viterbo, Italy: Project Manager for Architectural Design & Construction: the project included architectural survey, restoration, rehabilitation & reuse for retails, offices & residences 
• 2001 PALAZZO RANIERI, XIV Century, Orvieto, Italy 
Responsible for Design & construction site for Palazzo Ranieri with annexed medieval tower: the project included architectural survey, restoration, rehabilitation & reuse for insurance headquarter, offices and residences 
• 2004 New residences Project, via del Crocifisso, Florence, Italy 
Responsible for Design, Executive Drawings & Construction: the Design proposal included architectural survey, restoration, rehabilitation & reuse for residences 
• 2004 PALAZZO CHIGI, XIII Century, Viterbo, Italy 
Responsible for Design & Construction site for Palazzo Chigi: the project included architectural survey, restoration, rehabilitation & reuse for retails, offices & residences 
• 2003 New Residences Project, via Santo Stefano, Orvieto, Italy 
Responsible for Design, Executive Drawings & Construction: the Design proposal included architectural survey, restoration, rehabilitation & reuse for residences 
• 1997 – 2007 Residential projects of several country houses in Tuscany & Umbria, Italy 
The Design proposal focused on reuse of damaged &/or demolished farmhouses and rehabilitation for luxury residences 

Teaching Philosophy 
I believe in teaching and I teach who I am as an Architect. In other words, I don't believe teaching can be reduced to technique. Instead, I believe good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher. 
My philosophy of education has the following goals: to share the knowledge and experience I have acquired during my ten years as an free lance architect, architectural designer, restoration and preservation project manager: to integrate theory and practice: to enlarge knowledge of historical typology and traditional building technologies: to facilitate an interdisciplinary process of learning that leads students to the production of works linked with Italian urban context and historical Palazzi. At the end of the course students will be able to establish the historical value of the buildings, examining their present condition and identify each element and all characteristics by means of their knowledge both of the history of Italian architecture and of the basic theory and practice of historic preservation. This knowledge is the base of the critical process that will permit the re-elaborating and re-interpreting of all that is already known of the building, in order to distinguish the different phases of its transformation into what we are examining today. 

Most Rewarding Moments 
When students, who are studying architecture and historic preservation for the first time, decide that after taking the course, that they want to continue in these fields thanks to the inspiration they have had.

Favorite Quote 
”I have no desires nor fears,” the Khan declared, “and my dreams are composed either by mind or by chance”. (Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities, 1972)