Liminal Topography

Liminal Topography is an exploration into mediating between an ancient archeological site and the natural landscape. Situated in the Central Archeological Park of Rome, on the Celio Hill, our design creates a new monument between the Coliseum and Circus Maximus, looking towards the Roman Forum. The site has been designed to be renaturalized, becoming parklands with deep cuts into the topography to create a pathway that hides and reveals views onto the surrounding monuments. Along this jutting pathway are pavilions that house temporary exhibition spaces that lead visitors to viewing platforms that act as gathering spaces for both tourists and local residents. This meandering of pathways from both north and south entrances of the site culminates into a main public piazza. Surrounding the piazza is a sleek museum, entrenched into the surrounding landscape. The museum houses the massive Torlonia Collection of 109 classical statuary, along with various labs for research and restoration of ancient artefacts.