15_Enrico Casini: Scuola Dei Mestieri

Enrico Casini "I studied Architecture at DiDA, department of Architecture of Florence, Italy. I worked as assistant for Architecture Design with P.Di Nardo (ARX), V.Barberis (MDU). I also founded, with two of my colleagues and friends, HJB, with whom we exposed at “30<30” during the Fuorisalone in Milan."

Thesis: SCUOLA DEI MESTIERI

The SCUOLA DEI MESTIERI is born with the aim to ennoble craftsmanship again, giving back that dignity to all those ARTS and CRAFTS considered as minor, therefore it will be possible to give life to a new virtuous and reinvigorating process. William Morris (1834-1896), one of the founder of the movement “Art and Craft”, had already started this process reassessing and taking the medieval corporation as a model to follow, since he was particularly fascinated by the cooperation and co-working of that system. The aim was going against the industrial process and to give back life to craftsmanship as an expression of human work and needs.

THE SCHOOL

Within the school there is a close relationship between the academic structure and the architectural one. Three are the formative paths: sewing, pattern making and finishing that represent a fundamental step for Fashion Craftsmanship. This figure receives a double education: theoretical (more based on books), and practical (co-working and collaborating).

FLEXIBILITY is the key word in the planning of the spaces:

As far as didactics is concerned, the hallways became meeting points between designers and students, who can ask for reviews and checks before the final exams; From the practical point of view, some parts of the structure have a double function: for example during the exams, the relax area turns into a space designated for the winter runway show.  In the same way the area around the chimney stack, usually used as exhibition area, will host the summer runway show.