The facade of the Institute has been renovated skilled craftsmen with materials made to last. Plastic-based paint in a myriad of different colours has been replaced with lime paint in two main colours after consultation with the Roman Soprintendeza. All windows have been carefully restored. The institute's two rooftop terraces have been resurfaced with new tiles and a drainage system that can withstand extreme weather. The third floor has been renovated with new handmade tiles from Marche that harmonise with the original tiles on the second floor. The renovated floor now contains beautiful new meeting rooms as well as six office spaces, new bathrooms and a kitchen for staff and guest researchers.
The reopening was celebrated with an informal gathering of the parties involved on Tuesday 10 September. Many thanks go to the Estate Department of the University of Oslo and to project manager Marianne Vedeler Gulliksen, to the Norwegian Defence Estates Agency's expert consultants Roberta Luciani and Espen Martinsen, to contractor Alba and their skilled professionals and architect Anna Coiro, to Studio Annesi with Michele Annesi and Francesco di Pace.
During the renovations in the spring term, the Institute continued its activities. Motivated employees worked from home offices and organized their meetings around Monteverde. Our courses were carried out as usual, which would hardly have been possible without collaboration with our partner organisations in Norway, and the goodwill of our partners at the Finnish Institute in Rome and Circolo Scandinavo.
We're looking forward to a packed programme in the autumn term in our beautifully renovated premises, and we welcome everyone to come and take a look.