The Former Church of San Michele in Ferrara, Italy, Becomes an International Architecture Lab with CAL POLY CALIFORNIA.

From July 29 to 31, the former Church of San Michele in Ferrara hosted 40 students and professors from the Architecture Faculty of Cal Poly – California Polytechnic State University, as part of an international program in partnership with Switzerland.

At the center of this educational experience was the study of the historic church, selected as a case study in relation to the work of master Liberatore and the creative journey of the Francesca Liberatore brand.

The initiative aligns perfectly with the broader cultural and urban regeneration project led by the Liberatore family, who have transformed the former religious building into a multifunctional cultural hub. “Not because we’re from Ferrara, but because we believe in a synergistic center for innovation and culture that unites past, present, and future—accessible to all and exportable worldwide,” says designer Francesca Liberatore.

Over the course of the workshop, the 40 students—divided into 8 groups—developed 8 architectural intervention proposals, delving into the building’s complexity: from structural and technical challenges to aesthetic analysis, from the historical and contemporary context of the site and city, to future needs and potential uses.

In the spirit of collaboration between cultural institutions and disciplines, the Liberatore family opened up their facilities, fostering a model of inclusive, international cultural engagement.

The final projects will be presented in late August in Lugano, during a closing event that will showcase new architectural visions born from the dialogue between disciplines, regions, and generations.