Week: 7 Inglobare

This week we explored the new and old aspects of Rome. We had a history project based on inglobare and spoglia, terms used to describe the reuse or incorporation of old architecture with new architecture.  Correlating with this project, we ventured to places that reflected the idea of inglobare and Spoglia. 

                                                        An example of Inglobare, found in

                                                             the Jewish Ghetto in Rome

In Field Studies class, we went to a contemporary art museum called The Maxxi Museum by Architect Zaha Hadid. Its fluidity and smooth surface brought a sense of “American Modernism” back to us. Seeing a building such as the Maxxi Museum amidst a city of ancient ruins is really quite fascinating. The creation of the Maxxi Museum influenced the renovation of older buildings surrounding the site, and a creation of a new piazza.

John, Daniela, Liana and Jamie at the Maxxi Museum

The lecture parallel to this trip focused on the struggle of trying to mesh Modern Architecture within an ancient city such as Rome. 

                                                                                                            

Stairs inside the museum

The Music Bridge 

Later on in the week, we explored the Renaissance Palazzos of Rome. Professor Higgins talked about ancient architecture as being a base and model for the revival and Renaissance of Rome. These Renaissance buildings were built by affluent families in Rome, some in which had papal heritage. 

Palazzo Farnese

Palazzon Venezia

On Friday, our studio took a tour of the Vatican Museum, including the Sistine Chapel. 

Daniela at the Vatican Museum

Sistine Chapel

On Monday, we had a review on our Housing in Rome Project. Last week we diagramed and analyzed housing precedents, and this week we designed our own housing units.

Through our studies of spoglia and inglobare, and seeing modern architecture in Rome, there is an evident struggle of the acceptance and balance between old and new architecture. Rome is a frame for ancient architecture, and the push to add modern architecture is seen as both a positive and negative step. Either way, we found these contrasting views important to us as future architects who will one day have to deal with these situations.