The architectural route plan was proposed by the Italian architect Enrico Guaitoli, who participated in the preparation of the visit program for the winners of the first "Porcelain stoneware in architecture" competition in January 2013. All proposed architectural objects were collected in a brochure prepared by Estima Ceramica specialists. And, despite the rainy weather, the group of prize-winning architects from Russia never turned off the planned route. The path ran through Rome, Siena, Florence, captured many small and unique settlements in terms of urban planning.
On the first day of their stay, practically from the plane, the group visited the office of the Italian architect Maurizio Papiri located in the center of Rome, known all over the world for his projects and restoration of objects of the hospitality industry (HoReCa). He shared with the guests the secrets of his skill and noted that he is an adherent of the traditional approach to creating projects, initially providing the customer with his ideas in hand-drawn sketches.
The walking architectural tour of Rome lasted for two days. Along with the most famous architectural masterpieces erected during the Renaissance, including St. Peter's Basilica, the Church of Santa Maria della Pace, the Farnese Palace, as well as famous buildings in the Italian Baroque style: the Church of Sant Ivo alla Sapienza, the Church of San Carlo, Russian architects saw the works of modern masters: Museum "Altar of Peace" - Richard Meyer, National Museum of Art of the XXI century (MAXXI) - Zaha Hadid, Park of Music - Renzo Piano, Olympic Village, designed in collaboration with Vittorio Cafiero, Adalberto Libeira, Amedeo Luchienti Vincenzo Monaco and Luigi Moretti.
The third day was devoted to the architecture of the cities of Pienza and Siena. The "Ideal City" for the Pope Pius II, who was born in it, Pienza, has received the status of a World Heritage Site since 1995. Strict geometric shapes, perspectives of small streets stretching beyond the horizon, elevated location and observation decks with landscapes stretching into the distance - all this confirms the "ideal" idea implemented by the architect Bernardo Rossellino in the middle of the 15th century.
Siena, not yielding to other cities, cordially greeted the group of winners of the competition with rain and thus gave romance to an evening walk through historical places: the medieval Piazza del Campo, Pallazo Pubblico with the Tore del Mangia tower, the Gothic Siena Cathedral and many small cobbled streets that open up less famous, but no less delightful architectural buildings.
Florence, day four - meeting with the initiator of the route Enrico Guaitoli and his personal tour of all modern and historical architectural significant objects and even some interiors closed to tourists. The day ended with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery and dinner at a restaurant located in the town of Fiesole with panoramic views of Florence.
The free program on the last day of the trip allowed Russian architects to see the EUR area, erected in the south of Rome in the middle of the 20th century for the failed World Exhibition of 1942 and later adapted for housing and business activity of the townspeople.
According to the participants of the trip, the competition, invented by Estima Ceramica, gives an opportunity not only to take a fresh look at ceramic granite and evaluate the advanced technologies of Estima TM, but also to go on a wonderful architectural trip to Italy for a new creative impulse.
In 2014 Estima Ceramica will continue the already traditional competition and expect new participants with their creative ideas.
