The construction of new buildings inside any ancient city is a delicate balance between classical architecture and modernism; respecting the historic fabric while contending with its modern needs. This site, located along the Tiber River in the Old Rome district, required study of the site’s existing foundations, develop the site into an international school, and plan this school around major courtyard spaces. This was a group developed master plan with separate components of the plan being designed individually.
Beginning at entry courtyard and continuing through the site, towards the Tiber River, the courtyard spaces become increasingly more formal as they are defined by the program of the building which surrounds it. I was responsible for designing the back portion of the site including the rear courtyard, the most formal outdoor space, surrounding a religious building, and ending in a pedestrian path leading to the Tiber. This tunnel cuts under the Lungotevere and is surrounded by contemporary reminders that this modern intervention sits atop ancient foundations in an old city: a cascading water feature and a wall in ruins, akin to modern remnants of the aqueducts, which functionally turns the street into a pedestrian path.
The religious building, built on the foundations of a church, has been converted into a multifaith worship building whose shapes reflect themes of universality. The circular shapes reference both classical and modernist forms; a progressive prayer space that is open to all religions inside an old city.
