Joining past and present--an addition to the National Museum of Rome

Abstract

Contemporary, architectural forms which are constructed upon the landscape of a pre-existing structure or built fabric can make important connections with our past and give us a vital, visual expression of historical change. This thesis explores the nature of interventions into old buildings and the importance they play in maintaining an architectural continuity through time in our built landscape. The study of historical and contemporary examples of building reuse and transformations provide the basis for a proposal to design an addition to the National Museum of Rome. The museum, housed in the ancient remains of the Baths of Diocletian - allows the opportunity to investigate the connections between contemporary and ancient materials and the way in which they are deployed to form a cohesive whole. This project demonstrates the necessity of building in a way which restores and maintains a connection with the past in order to create meaningful places for our future.