The proposal for the “Grande MAXXI” international competition in Rome is conceived as an urban regeneration intervention aimed at enhancing the vitality of a city district already profoundly marked by the presence of Zaha Hadid’s museum.
The concept does not seek formal mimesis or striking contrast; instead, it proposes a composition of volumes that dialogue with the context through sober elegance and a strong material identity.
The primary goal is the creation of a new multifunctional “hub” acting as a natural extension of the museum, integrating accessible storage, restoration laboratories, and research spaces into an architectural organism capable of harmonizing institutional needs with the dynamics of neighborhood life.
The building thus stands as a new piece of the city, enriching the Roman urban fabric with a discreet yet profoundly contemporary presence.
Urban Grafting Grande MAXXI
LOCATION Roma, Italy
TYPE New Build / Museum
YEAR 2022
STATUS Competition
CLIENT MAXXI Museum
At the heart of the project lies the ability to define a harmonious relationship between the built environment and public space through the creation of “MAXXI Green.”
This area is not intended as mere landscaping but as a true urban green system connecting the various polarities of the site.
The flooring has been designed to ensure visual and functional continuity with the existing plaza, creating a fluid surface that welcomes citizens and visitors alike.
Inside the new building, the spatial distribution is geared toward maximum efficiency: laboratories and storage areas are designed as stimulating, high-tech environments where transparency plays a key role in making the work of art care and conservation visible, transforming traditionally “back-of-house” functions into an integral part of the museum experience.
Sustainability and technological innovation form the backbone of the intervention, featuring a cutting-edge structural choice based on the use of glulam and CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) panels.
This construction technology was selected for its low environmental impact and its ability to act as a carbon sink, actively contributing to the fight against climate change.
The adoption of a dry construction system and the modularity of the elements, columns, beams, and slabs, guarantee not only rigorous control over the Material Life Cycle (LCA) but also the optimization of construction schedules and costs.
Off-site prefabrication allows for rapid and precise execution, minimizing disruption to the neighborhood while ensuring the highest quality standards for both thermal and acoustic comfort within the interior spaces.
In conclusion, the vision for the Grande MAXXI translates into a project characterized by solid operational feasibility and a timeless aesthetic.
The exterior cladding and color palette have been calibrated to reflect the tones of the Eternal City, while the integration of photovoltaic systems and microclimate control solutions ensures excellent energy efficiency.
The new MAXXI Hub and its surrounding green system represent more than just a volumetric expansion; they are a manifesto for responsible architecture, where education, culture, and social interaction meet in a habitat designed for 21st-century generations.
It is an intervention that celebrates the art of building through the beauty of wood and precision of detail, reaffirming MAXXI as a global landmark not only for the arts but also for the quality of urban living.
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