Posted on 12 July 2013
The administration services of the EUI have moved to new offices at Villa Salviati.
“Being here today is a great achievement. This building will become a new point of reference for the EUI,” says Secretary General Pasquale Ferrara.
The Communications Service, Financial Services, Personnel Services, Real Estate and Facilities Services, as well as the office of the Secretary General have all moved from Badia Fiesolana.
Previously the different services were located in separate parts of the Badia and some teams were divided between multiple offices. Following the move Ferrara expects the new proximity to help productivity.
“I just walk out my door and take a few steps. I think this immediate contact is a good thing for getting improved results.”
“There are still things to be arranged,” admits Ferrara, “There are still boxes in the corridor, but once we are settled we will find a new balance and we will be able to work better together.”
Despite pre-move nerves Ferrara was pleased with how staff reacted to their new surroundings: “People were happy and excited, by the rooms, the garden. People felt immediately engaged. I was really surprised in a positive way.”
The move marks the second stage in the development of the workspace at Villa Salviati, following the Historical Archives re-location last year. The final stage will see the arrival of ICT, Accounting and Auditing in 2015.
Before then the main building will need further renovation, which is due to start in September. Once completed there will be additional events rooms, two more floors of administration space and a meeting room for the Institute’s High Council.
While the Badia will remain the academic hub, Villa Salviati will the be “the public face of the EUI” according to Ferrara. “We are planning to open more and more of the gardens to the public with visits and events held in the main building to which the general public will be invited.”
Once completed Villa Salviati will be a multi-purpose location with gardens and a full calendar of events.
It is a plan Ferrara is excited to see come to fruition: “This will be the business card of the EUI to member states, to researchers and to the city of Florence. I am happy we are here to start this new phase of the EUI.”
(Text by Mark Briggs)