A new 55,000-sm building in the EUR district in Rome combines abstract design with that of a geometrically defined shape to create the largest building completed in Rome in over 50 years. The New Rome-EUR Convention Centre and Hotel is defined by three elements: the Theca, the Cloud, and the Blade.
The Theca acts as the container. It is a geometrically defined shape created form steel and a double glass façade. Think of the Theca as the straight man to the Cloud’s (which is enclosed within the Theca) fool.
The Cloud is, according to the project’s architect, Studio Fuksas, the heart of the project. The Cloud is the abstract design aspect; a free spatial articulation created without rules. The Cloud contains an auditorium suitable for 1,800 people, several snack points, and support services for the auditorium. It represents the most distinctive architectural element of the project. A 15,000-sm transparent curtain, made from advanced-membrane fiberglass and flame-retardant silicone, covers a steel rib structure. When viewed in conjunction with the glass box of the Theca, the project resembles a giant fish, freely swimming in a glass aquarium.
Finally, the Blade is the hotel, an independent and autonomous structure containing 439 rooms. The Blade stands next to the main convention center and is clad in reflective dark glazing. According to Dezeen, in addition to the Blade’s 439 rooms, seven boutique suites, a spa, and a restaurant are also included.
Overall, the Centre has the capacity to seat nearly 8,000 people. In addition to the 1,800 seats found inside the Cloud’s auditorium, large conference rooms add an additional 6,000 seats. Beneath the complex is parking for up to 600 cars.
Energy consumption of the large building is curtailed via the use of variable flow air conditioning and photovoltaic elements on the exterior of the Theca that produce electricity and mitigate solar radiation, protecting the building from overheating.
The New Rome-EUR Convention Centre and Hotel opened in October 2016.
Photo courtesy of Leonardo Finotti.
Photo courtesy of Leonardo Finotti.
Photo courtesy of Leonardo Finotti.
Photo courtesy of Leonardo Finotti.
Photo courtesy of Leonardo Finotti.
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
Top 175 Architecture Firms for 2023
Gensler, HKS, Perkins&Will, Corgan, and Perkins Eastman top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Hotel Facilities | Jul 26, 2023
Hospitality building construction costs for 2023
Data from Gordian breaks down the average cost per square foot for 15-story hotels, restaurants, fast food restaurants, and movie theaters across 10 U.S. cities: Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.
Standards | Jun 26, 2023
New Wi-Fi standard boosts indoor navigation, tracking accuracy in buildings
The recently released Wi-Fi standard, IEEE 802.11az enables more refined and accurate indoor location capabilities. As technology manufacturers incorporate the new standard in various devices, it will enable buildings, including malls, arenas, and stadiums, to provide new wayfinding and tracking features.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jun 22, 2023
NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars release conceptual designs for ‘stadium of the future’
Designed by HOK, the Stadium of the Future intends to meet the evolving needs of all stadium stakeholders—which include the Jaguars, the annual Florida-Georgia college football game, the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl, international sporting events, music festivals and tours, and the thousands of fans and guests who attend each event.
Performing Arts Centers | Jun 20, 2023
Designing arts spaces that curate inclusivity
GBBN's Julia Clements and Marcene Kinney, AIA, LEED AP, talk tips for designing inclusive arts spaces.
Arenas | Jun 14, 2023
A multipurpose arena helps revitalize a historic African American community in Georgia
In Savannah, Ga., Enmarket Arena, a multipurpose arena that opened last year, has helped revitalize the city’s historic Canal District—home to a largely African American community that has been historically separated from the rest of downtown.
Mass Timber | Jun 13, 2023
Mass timber construction featured in two-story mixed-use art gallery and wine bar in Silicon Valley
The Edes Building, a two-story art gallery and wine bar in the Silicon Valley community of Morgan Hill, will prominently feature mass timber. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam posts and beams were specified for aesthetics, biophilic properties, and a reduced carbon footprint compared to concrete and steel alternatives.
Museums | Jun 6, 2023
New wing of Natural History Museums of Los Angeles to be a destination and portal
NHM Commons, a new wing and community hub under construction at The Natural History Museums (NHM) of Los Angeles County, was designed to be both a destination and a portal into the building and to the surrounding grounds.
Performing Arts Centers | Jun 6, 2023
Mumbai, India’s new Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre has three performing arts venues
In Mumbai, India, the recently completed Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) will showcase music, theater, and fine arts from India and from across the globe. Atlanta’s TVS Design served as the principal architect and interior designer of both the cultural center and the larger, adjacent Jio World Centre.
Architects | Jun 6, 2023
Taking storytelling to a new level in building design, with Gensler's Bob Weis and Andy Cohen
Bob Weis, formerly the head of Disney Imagineering, was recently hired by Gensler as its Global Immersive Experience Design Leader. He joins the firm's co-CEO Andy Cohen to discuss how Gensler will focus on storytelling to connect people to its projects.
