Convent and Institute of Beata Vergine Addolorata

The architecture has a very uniform design in plan, laid out on five levels: the first floor, containing the entrance and refectories, from which extend the shorter volumes perpendicular to the main building; the second floor, which is characterised by an open gallery and spaces for studying; the third and the fourth floors with the common dormitories, topped off with the final floor, set aside for the nun’s small residences. El diseño arquitectónico presenta una disposición uniforme en planta a lo largo de los cinco niveles: la primera planta, albergando la entrada y refectorio, desde la cual se extienden los volúmenes más reducidos perpendiculares al edificio principal; la segunda planta, caracterizada por una galería abierta y la presencia de los espacios de estudio; la tercera y cuarta planta con los dormitorios comunes, coronada por la planta final, reservada para las pequeñas residencias de las monjas. The building’s appearance and its overall layout are highly influenced by the nearby Sant’Eustorgio: the façade facing Via Santa Croce is more elaborate due to the stairwells and mechanical areas, clad alternately in either solid or hollow hexagonal elements in sandstone that are combined following a rectangular grid pattern, creating a rhythm between solid surfaces and lattice work that protect the most private areas of the building. The façades of the larger structure are characterised by a continuous ribbon window and by the loggia that, albeit interrupted by the mechanical volumes, take up the design on the main façade. The latter, facing via Sambuco, displays strong similarities with the compositional ordering system adopted for the Caccia house in piazza Sant’Ambrogio done around the same time. Both have a rhythmic distribution of horizontal bands with a solid base on the ground floor. The balconies are modulated vertically by white pillars that stand out against the dark brown, glazed sandstone tile cladding.