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
| Dec 13, 2013
Safe and sound: 10 solutions for fire and life safety
From a dual fire-CO detector to an aspiration-sensing fire alarm, BD+C editors present a roundup of new fire and life safety products and technologies.
| Dec 10, 2013
16 great solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors
From a crowd-funded smart shovel to a why-didn’t-someone-do-this-sooner scheme for managing traffic in public restrooms, these ideas are noteworthy for creative problem-solving. Here are some of the most intriguing innovations the BD+C community has brought to our attention this year.
| Dec 4, 2013
First look: Dubai's winning bid for World Expo 2020 [slideshow]
Dubai has been chosen as the site of the 2020 World Expo. HOK led the design team that developed the master plan for the Expo, which is expected to draw more than 25 million visitors from October 2020 through April 2021.
| Nov 27, 2013
Wonder walls: 13 choices for the building envelope
BD+C editors present a roundup of the latest technologies and applications in exterior wall systems, from a tapered metal wall installation in Oklahoma to a textured precast concrete solution in North Carolina.
| Nov 26, 2013
Construction costs rise for 22nd straight month in November
Construction costs in North America rose for the 22nd consecutive month in November as labor costs continued to increase, amid growing industry concern over the tight availability of skilled workers.
| Nov 25, 2013
Building Teams need to help owners avoid 'operational stray'
"Operational stray" occurs when a building’s MEP systems don’t work the way they should. Even the most well-designed and constructed building can stray from perfection—and that can cost the owner a ton in unnecessary utility costs. But help is on the way.
| Nov 19, 2013
Top 10 green building products for 2014
Assa Abloy's power-over-ethernet access-control locks and Schüco's retrofit façade system are among the products to make BuildingGreen Inc.'s annual Top-10 Green Building Products list.
| Nov 15, 2013
Greenbuild 2013 Report - BD+C Exclusive
The BD+C editorial team brings you this special report on the latest green building trends across nine key market sectors.
| Nov 15, 2013
First look: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center renovation and expansion [slideshow]
The massive upgrade included a 110,000-sf expansion – Javits North – as well as the installation of 240,000 sf of energy-efficient glass curtain wall on the existing facility and the region's largest green roof.
| Nov 15, 2013
Metal makes its mark on interior spaces
Beyond its long-standing role as a preferred material for a building’s structure and roof, metal is making its mark on interior spaces as well.
