This book recounts the conversion of a historic villa into a highly specialized cancer center. The design’s main theme is a dialogue between history and the present day. The situation is as unique as the process of designing the center, which took an innovative, experimental approach.
Within this complex, quickly-changing context, the story of the new Centro Oncologico Fiorentino Cancer Center offers inspiration for two lines of further thought. The first of these is a reflection on the role of historic buildings in hospital conversion projects. The second is the role of clients and the cultural perspective that gave meaning to the goals and questions that are part of the lengthy design process.
It’s a volume which seeks to go beyond just presenting the results of an architectural project. Its mission is to share ideas and hopes with the community of all those who are interested in exploring a healthcare culture waiting to take its next great leap forward.

CSPE (Centro Studi Progettazione Edilizia; Building design study center) was founded in Florence in 1975 by Paolo Felli, Antonio Andreucci and Romano Del Nord for research, design and consulting in the field of healthcare and social services. In 1999 the three founding members were joined by architects Giulio Felli and Corrado Lupatelli.