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
| Sep 3, 2014
New designation launched to streamline LEED review process
The LEED Proven Provider designation is designed to minimize the need for additional work during the project review process.
| Sep 2, 2014
Ranked: Top green building sector AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
AECOM, Gensler, and Turner top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest green design and construction firms.
| Aug 21, 2014
Ranked: Top convention center AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Gensler, AECOM, and Hunt Construction top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest convention center design and construction firms.
| Aug 19, 2014
HOK to acquire 360 Architecture
Expected to be finalized by the end of October, the acquisition of 360 Architecture will provide immediate benefits to both firms’ clients worldwide as HOK re-enters the sports and entertainment market.
| Aug 5, 2014
Shigeru Ban-designed Aspen Art Museum will open doors to public this week
After 18 month of planning and construction, the museum will open its new Shigeru Ban-designed facility to the public on August 9.
| Jul 28, 2014
Reconstruction market benefits from improving economy, new technology [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Following years of fairly lackluster demand for commercial property remodeling, reconstruction revenue is improving, according to the 2014 Giants 300 report.
| Jul 28, 2014
Reconstruction Sector Construction Firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Structure Tone, Turner, and Gilbane top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest reconstruction contractor and construction management firms in the U.S.
| Jul 28, 2014
Reconstruction Sector Engineering Firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Jacobs, URS, and Wiss, Janney, Elstner top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest reconstruction engineering and engineering/architecture firms in the U.S.
| Jul 28, 2014
Reconstruction Sector Architecture Firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Stantec, HDR, and HOK top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest reconstruction architecture and architecture/engineering firms in the U.S.
| Jul 23, 2014
Architecture Billings Index up nearly a point in June
AIA reported the June ABI score was 53.5, up from a mark of 52.6 in May.
