V8 Architects

Museo delle Scienze di Roma

Development of societies run parallel with development of technology, or more specific: the result of science. The Museo delle Scienze di Roma is composed on this narrative. The roof is transformed into an energy harvesting surface and new technology is seamlessly integrated into the existing structure. Representing science and positioned at the dawn of the symbiocene, the new MSR is a symbiosis between nature and technology at the heart of our manmade environment.

Dome
The dome refers to the great monumental domes, which have been created and envisioned in the past. On the other hand, due to its method of construction and use of material, it celebrates nature and human craftmanship. It presents itself as an installation where nature is stacked and forms a display of chemical, biological and physical processes. Placed in wooden pots it follows the outline of the dome as well as it follows its structure. Its shape intrigues but cannot be understood immediately. It invites to observe, to analyse and to interpretate. The skin of the dome is composed by timber pots, creating elevated layers of soil. The pots vary in depth, sun orientation, humidity, soil conditions etc. They off er a wide range of natural conditions, enhancing biodiversity. ‘Terra Domus’ represents a laboratory, a place for research, where science links nature with humankind. It represents the symbiocene: our era. The MSR is embedded in this era to relate in a responsible way to our planet and all its people.

Museography
The patios, roof garden, restaurant, foyer, bookshop, auditorium, education, multifunctional space and ‘on-demand’ hall are freely accessible, allowing for extended opening hours and commercial usage. The auditorium can be separated into two smaller rooms or be a continuation of the foyer. This spatial lay-out makes the museum a vibrant public space.The existing walls are used to divide the large exhibition halls into diff erent areas. By making these walls permeable a reminiscence of the buildings history is part of the experience. The separation between the hall for temporary exhibitions and the hall for permanent exhibitions is made with large movable wall elements, allowing for combining the two exhibition domains if required.  

Circularity, energy and biodiversity
The construction is based on principles of circularity. This is applied in the new structure by using wood as a biobased material, which through its smart detailing is completely demountable. Reusing of the current concrete roof elements, the façade and most of the structural elements and walls, completes the circular character of the museum.The museum is the physical proof that science, technology and nature are intrinsically connected. At street level a patio exhibition garden is introduced. On top of the existing concrete roof elements extensive green vegetation is added to minimize heat stress.

The museum is the physical proof that science, technology, and nature are inextricably linked. At street level, a courtyard exhibition garden is introduced. Extensive greenery is applied to the existing concrete roof elements to minimize heat stress.