Attention Participants:
“Texas8 International Collaborative Charrette” program, Siena, Italy 2025
Reviving a summer tradition of design focused charrettes in Siena from the mid 20th century until the early years of the 21st century, the University of Texas at San Antonio School of Architecture and Planning will host a two-week design charrette for students of exceptional promise as future designers at a recently created study center located in a former medieval convent (Monasterino della Conoscenza) six kilometers outside the city walls of one of Italy’s most historic urban centers.
While the subject of the charrette will likely be an adaptive reuse design of an historic structure in Siena, finalizing the actual scope of design is underway. However, underway are discussions related to addressing an aspect of the Fortezza Medicea.
It is our intention that our partner and ‘client’ will be the City of Siena, or related NGO that wants us to provide design product that will be helpful in a concrete way. The charrette participants will visit the project site as needed, and work with local officials.
Student/designers will be involved in discussions of the history of the evolution of the intended reuse function, as well as the nature and enhancement of the owner and patrons beng served.
Upon arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), the group will begin with exploration of the city of Rome. Walking amongst infinite historic places and structures. Lead design faculty has extensive and deep experience with the city of Rome. Three nights in local hotel are provided, before the Monasterino della Conoscenza bus picks the group up for travel to Siena.
The two-week charrette will be punctuated by a daylong exploration of Siena including its famous Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Communale, Cathedral and many landmarks including its still functioning public fountains and water collection systems.
A second foray will be made to nearby Florence on the schedule midpoint Sunday, which will be between its summer music festivals which are distributed around the center city. Both cities have highly regarded festivals and both are home to well-known music schools, orchestras, and performance venues.
The students will work with drawings provided by city officials, and will produce digital presentations that can be easily shared with our Italian hosts and the participants own universities. In addition to plans, sections, elevations and perspectives the students will capture the experience of occupying the space(s) designed with animations and sound tracks.
The Monasterino, located at rear of the property at Strada Chiantigiana, 153, 53100 Siena, Italy. provides an ideal workshop for this endeavor. Two large contiguous studios are equipped with work tables, desks, ample electrical outlets, large screens for projection, and reliable internet access. The Monesterino provides comfortable well-appointed rooms, several informal sitting-conference areas, a dining room and professionally equipped kitchen staffed by a professional chef. An outdoor courtyard can be used for al-fresco dining and meetings. And, at the end of a long day of work, the Monesterino has an ample swimming pool and shaded terraces with views of the surrounding vineyards and olive groves.
Apart from the scheduled bus trips to and from Rome’s Fiumacino airport, and round trips to Siena and Florence, which are provided as a service to the students, taxi service is available for optional trips. The Monasterino, as a study center, has on-site management and staff.
The study center is located on a substantial estate with security gates and has been sensitively transformed from a convent which was substantially completed before 1446. Rather than room numbers, each guest room features a brass plate on the door with the name of one of its former nun-occupants.
Kindly take a moment to review and fill out the documents attached below. Once completed please email the required document to utsa@utsa.edu. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Please review important documents below:
**Signed documents must be emailed to John.Murphy@utsa.edu.**
Important Information:
- Be advised that is is anticpated that each student participant will be required to register for a course at their home institution, and thereby access appropriate health and emergency insurance.
- Registrants are responsible for acquiring their own tansatlntic flight and should plan for arrival and departure from Rome Fiumicino (FCO) Airport. Specific arrival and departure times will be discussed after registration.
- The Monesterino complex is a completely tobacco free, smoke-free and vape-free zone.
- If you are being sponsored by your University, please select 'Invoice' for payment.