LARGO ARGENTINA & CB2 MUSEUM
Rome, Italy
Spring 2017
 Largo Argentina View |  Largo Argentina View |  Largo Argentina View |
|---|---|---|
 Largo Argentina View |  Concept Diagram |  Site Plan |
 Site Plan |  Circulation Diagram |  Program Diagram |
 CB3 Museum Plan |  Largo Argentina View |  Largo Argentina Section |
 Conceptual CB2 Collage |  Conceptual CB2 Collage |  Conceptual CB2 Collage |
 Conceptual CB2 Section |  Conceptual CB2 Plans |  Conceptual CB2 Diagram |
 Conceptual CB2 Diagram |  CB2 Conceptual Diagram |
This project was completed during a semester abroad in Rome, Italy. The first phase of this project provides a reinvention and revitalization of Largo di Torre Argentina, an Ancient Roman monumental complex in central Rome, discovered during excavations in the 1920's and still visible from the modern-day piazza. With green garden spaces in mind, my group's proposal creates an environment that enables each guest to explore the site in a unique way through shifting layers, starting from modernity and ending at ancient, with small, interstitial spaces along the way. The journey to antiquity is the destination itself. The ancient ruins of Largo Argentina act as the centerpiece of the proposal, which further emphasizes how Rome has been built up over time.
This project seeks to reveal these varying levels through the creation of intimate spaces, communal spaces, and garden environments. Four primary levels reflecting major time periods are created: modernity, renaissance, medieval, and ancient, with various sub-levels spread sporadically throughout the site. At each main level, educational resources are provided to show visual representations of Largo Argentina at that time in history. In addition, a new "CB3" Museum addition was added at the ancient level underneath the modern-level sidewalk, and an observation tower anchors the corner of the site, visually connecting to CB2 down the street.
The first phase of the new Largo Argentina urban plan was designed by Lindsay Krause, Marlene Sharp, and John Shinogle.
 Site Plan |  Site Section |  Elevation |
|---|---|---|
 Elevation |  First Floor Plan |  Second Floor Plan |
 Third & Fourth Floor Plan |  Fifth Floor Plan |  Sixth Floor Plan |
 Section |  Section |  CB2 Diagram |
The second phase of the project focused on the individual design of a new "CB2" Museum as multifunctional/ interactive addition to the existing Crypta Balbi Museum, directly across the street from CB2's site and down the street from Largo Argentina on Via Del Botteghe Oscure. The site of CB2 contains the archeological remains of the Ancient Roman Temple of the Nymphs, which remains untouched while still being integrated in the overall design of the museum. CB2 exhibits temporary shows and gallery spaces open to the community to promote a closer link to the city and its history. Also included in its program is a library, auditorium, conference rooms, a cafe, child care facilities, and the Accademia Urbis, a private institution for scholars to conduct research.
Considered as an integral part of the archaeological site of Largo Argentina, I designed CB2 to be a formal continuity of the spatial language expressed by Largo Argentina. Rather than horizontal layering, however, CB2 takes the idea of Largo Argentina's urban plan and flips it vertically. Each rising level shifts slightly outward, approaching the street and providing a visual connection to Largo Argentina's observation tower from down the street.
 View Towards CB2 Museum |  CB2 Street View |  View Towards Largo Argentina |
|---|---|---|
 Lobby View |  Library View |
The public levels include the archaeological ground floor up to the fifth floor cafe, with the remaining fifth and sixth floor designated for private research space. Since a critical feature of the Largo Argentina design were small garden spaces, these green nooks were incorporated throughout CB2 as well. The facade is comprised of alternating panels of concrete and glazing, providing adequate daylighting/ shade for necessary programs inside. Circulation stairs weave throughout the building, forcing guests to meander and experience the entirety of the museum. This follows "the journey is the destination" mentality developed in the first phase of the project.