¶ … Florence train station and its qualities. The Florence train station might be expected to be designed in the classic or even art deco style, but instead, it is a classic and well-known example of Italian modernism. The Firenze Santa Maria Novella or the Stazione di Santa Maria Novella is the main train station in Florence. A group of Italian architects called the Gruppo Toscano (Tuscan Group) completed it in 1934. Architects Giovanni Michelucci and Italo Gamberini were two of the members of this group. Italian Dictator Benito Mussolini approved of the final design of the station after a controversial competition, and many architects believe the Tuscan Group modeled their design after Viennese modern architecture and America's Frank Lloyd Wright, known for his modern and novel architecture. The Tuscan Group only designed the front of the building, the platforms, waiting areas, and such were designed by an Italian Ministry of Communications national architect.

The facade includes three abstract fasces and inside, the space is quite open, with large skylights overhead that give a feeling of openness and space. These skylights are unique because they cover the area without any visible means of support, which only adds to the feeling of space and openness. They are imbedded in a simple flat, metal roof, which breaks up the building's horizontal line and adds to the uniqueness of the overall design. Large windows also line the passenger concourse, giving additional light and style to the modernistic building. The simplicity of the design was controversial from the start, and many Italians did not like it, although it marks Italy's entry into modernistic design.
The material chosen for the design is especially important, because it pays homage to the historic Santa Maria Novella church located adjacent to the station. The station's frontage is…