Rome, new archaeological walk. The Labics studio wins the international competition.

It was presented today at Trajan's Markets - Museum of the Imperial Forums, in the presence of the Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano, of the Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri and of the Capitoline Superintendent Claudio Parisi Presicce, provisional ranking of the international design competition “The New Archaeological Walk“, for the implementation of interventions in the Imperial Forum area, announced last October by Roma Capitale – Capitoline Superintendence of Cultural Heritage.

During the Public Proclamation Session, which took place in the morning, it was announced how first place lo Labics studio by Maria Claudia Clemente and Francesco Isidori.

The objective of the Competition, for which 23 project proposals were received, it is the creation of a large pedestrian ring that takes up the idea of ​​Minister Baccelli's late nineteenth-century Promenade. The New Archaeological Walk will connect the entire central archaeological area of ​​the city – from the Forum, to the Colosseum, to the Celion, to the Palatine, to the Baths of Caracalla, to the Circus Maximus, up to the Capitoline Hill – at the same time putting it back in connection with the modern city and the daily life of the surrounding districts. A unique walk in the world that will connect via dei Fori Imperiali with the other routes around the Palatine Hill, intercepting the cycle-pedestrian itinerary of via di S. Gregorio, via dei Cerchi, via di S. Teodoro and the ups and downs of the Capitoline Hill, and which will be characterized by an increase in services in the area, including pedestrian spaces, green areas, balconies, elevated paths and cycle-pedestrian routes.

The estimated cost for the realization of the works is 18.800.000,00 euros net of VAT

La Judging commission, composed by five membersi identified by Roma Capitale, the Ministry of Culture and the Order of Architects e presided over by the Portuguese architect Joao Luis Carrillho da Graça, selected i five finalist projects of the Competition, from which he chose the winner, according to criteria which concerned: the compatibility of the proposal with the framework of the activities planned by the Public Administration and the strategic objectives; the quality of the proposal in the relationship between the space covered by the competition and the surrounding fabric and functional organization of the spaces and elements proposed; the compositional aspects, creativity, originality and innovative contents of the proposal; the innovative quality of the proposal in reference to the choice of materials and technological solutions and the simplicity of maintenance and management; compliance with the invariants and consistency with the Guidelines and the proposed economic parameters.

The winner will receive a prize of €135.000,00 net of social security charges and VAT if due. Competitors classified from 2nd to 5th will receive a reimbursement of expenses, totaling €100.000,00 net of VAT and any other legal charges.

The provisional ranking will now be subject to legal checks, following which the winning firm will proceed with the improvement of the technical-economic feasibility project. At the end of this phase the Services Conference will be announced, in the meantime the executive project will be entrusted and the tender will be announced. If all deadlines are respected, the work can begin by September.

The New Archaeological Walk in the central area of ​​the city represents the first piece of the broader transformation project of the Monumental Archaeological Center of Rome (CArMe). The Competition has in fact opened the implementation phase of the Operational Program which envisages a set of works to be completed in the three-year period 2025-2027 with an investment of 282 million euros between Pnrr, Giubileo, state and municipal funds. Developed by Roma Capitale, edited by the Capitoline Superintendence on the basis of the Report to the Mayor presented by Walter Tocci, with the technical support of Resources for Rome and the collaboration of the competent Departments and other municipal companies, this project represents the largest investment ever in the central archaeological area.

This will be followed by the definition of the works envisaged by the Strategic Plan, financed with other resources to be found over the next decade, in order to guide the transformation in the long term.

THE WINNING PROJECT: 

1st place: Labics studio by Maria Claudia Clemente and Francesco Isidori

The Jury's comment

The project responds completely and exhaustively to the requests of the tender, articulating the solutions in the different intervention lots with substantial in-depth analysis and attention to detail. The proposal appears very effective in making the transversal relationships that are established between Via dei Fori Imperiali and the archaeological areas of the various adjacent lots clearly recognisable: the architectural and urban arrangement of the pavements in fact accommodates the guidelines coming from the different urban systems involved and at the same time guarantees large spaces accessible without barriers for pedestrians and cyclists. The roadway is highlighted by a differentiated material choice (in this case the already existing cobblestone), also guaranteeing the persistence of a relevant sign in the temporal succession of the historical events of the area.

The commission also considers convincing both the solution proposed for the arrangement of the slope below via Nicola Salvi, which resolves the multiple functional and landscape needs of the particular existing context with a single architectural gesture, and the project of the service center on via del Tempio della Pace , with particular reference to the proportions identified for the external loggia. The use of wood for the flooring (lot 2) is convincing above all in the desire to highlight an evident dichotomy between the reversible and structural characteristics of the interventions, however it requires verification in terms of feasibility.

THE OTHER FINALIST PROJECTS

2th place: the grouping of professionals with the group leader being the Arch. Giorgia COLOMBO

3th place: the grouping of professionals with the group leader being the Arch. Luigi FRANCIOSINI

4th place: the grouping of professionals with the group leader being the Arch. Marco PIETROLUCCI

5th place: the grouping of professionals with the group leader being the Arch. Eugenio CIPOLLONE

SELECTION COMMISSION

President

Arch. Joao Luis Carrillho da Graça

Portuguese architect and internationally renowned designer with particular experience in the interaction between contemporary architecture and historical heritage. For his activity he has received numerous awards and recognitions.

Members

Prof. Elisabetta Pallottino

Architect, he is full professor of Architectural Restoration at the Department of Architecture of the Roma Tre University and member of the Scientific Committee of the Special Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of Rome.

Arch. Cristiano Rosponi

Freelance professional, specialized in urban recovery, works in the field of architectural design of civil and religious buildings.

Arch. Alessandra Rampazzo

Associate architect of the A+M2A Architects studio, invited to the 18th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, with which she carries out design and research activities.

Prof. Adriano La Regina 

Academician of the Lincei and President of the National Institute of Archeology and Art History, he has held numerous positions in the State Superintendencies of Rome.