#RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS
MAD architects transforms urban block in rome with green residences
after four years of design development, MAD architects has received approval from the city of rome for their scheme to revamp 71 via boncompagni
The adaptive reuse project transforms an existing 1970’s commercial courtyard building into a residential complex featuring trees and outdoor patios scattered throughout. after having won the commission in 2010 with a winning competition proposal, the team, led by ma yansong, now carries the plans into implementation phases for realization of MAD’s first project in europe.
as a reflection of modern architectural development, the renovation replaces the building’s heavy and closed existing façades with visually light curving curtain walls, while retaining the original structure. the envelope thus serves as an expressive element for the building while functioning to produce open and luminous living spaces complemented by garden covered balconies.
the 8-storey building will contain 145 units of various sizes and layouts, ranging from studios to urban villas. while the residential complex dominates the majority of the block, wrapping three street fronts, a 20th century chapel is located on one corner. toward the site’s interior, the courtyard facing windows and balconies are wrapped with translucent metallic curtains. the private central space features a large pond, with skylights integrated at its bottom surface to illuminate the subterranean parking garage.
the MAD architects team remarks, ‘contemporary living in a museum-like city like rome is often hidden behind its historical façades. through this adaptive rebuild project, this ‘open’ building will be able to return vitality and urban living to the traditional neighborhood.’
