Bridging Between Vaults

Project Statement

This project reimagines the School of Architecture, Art, and Planning as an open, interconnected campus embedded within Rome's Cistern delle Sette Sale. Drawing inspiration from the Ponte Rotto, the design emphasizes connectivity by transforming the historic cistern into a place where architecture, art, and planning intersect rather than exist as separate disciplines. Existing vaulted spaces and diagonal circulation are preserved and expanded, while strategic openings create visual connections and shared collaborative environments. The former reservoir becomes a “reservoir of ideas,” where studios, workshops, living spaces, and communal areas blur the boundaries between work, learning, and daily life. Circulation unfolds as a narrative, guiding users through changing atmospheres, light, and spatial experiences that encourage interaction and discovery. The project balances preservation with intervention, using the historic structure to foster creativity, collaboration, and interdisciplinary exchange. Rooted in Rome's architectural heritage, the campus demonstrates how adaptive reuse can transform historic infrastructure into a vibrant educational environment.