In 1856 the Waldensian Pastor Giovanni Pietro Meille founded the Artisan’s Institute in order to train poor 12 to 18 year olds—especially orphans—in the professional trades. Initially the youths were housed in private homes and later in Casa Valdese in Via Pio V. The success of the project brought pastor Mielle to buy a plot of land in Via Berthollet. In this area, that would later be the location of the Waldensian Hospital, the new Institute was inaugurated on August 14th, 1865. The facility was designed by architect Francesco Vigliani: two floors designed to house up to 30 youths. Each one was required to pay tuition for the first two years of the four-year course. The Institute was moved to Villa Defernex in Turin in 1970. In 1977 it stopped providing housing and training, but continued funding scholarships. The Institute was closed definitively in 1984 and its place a committee was established to support needy students.