MAXXI MUSEUM

ROME, ITALY
 Architects: Zaha Hadid Architects
 Area: 27000 m²
 Year: 2009
 Photographs: Iwan Baan
 Manufacturers: Goppion, PBA, Sto, Zumtobel
 Structural Engineers: Anthony Hunts Associates OK Design Group
 Client:Ministero Beni e Attività Culturali – Fondazione MAXXI
 Lights And Illumination:Equation Lighting
 Year Of Enchargement:1999

Opening the website of Zaha Hadid Architects, the home page shows the various links of the
practice on a schematic plan; it is the plan of MAXXI, Museum of Arts of the XXI century,
in Rome. This side-fact indicates the importance of MAXXI among the projects made by Zaha
Hadid. The museum was recently completed, after ten years, and opened on preview to the
public.
Archdaily was invited to the preview, so it was possible to experience the spaces while empty –
the art collection will be installed during winter, the official opening will take place on April
2010 – and have a direct impression of the building. As declared by the architect, the museum is
'not a object-container, but rather a campus for art', where flows and pathways overlap and
connect in order to create a dynamic and interactive space. Although the program is clear and
organized in plan, flexibility of use is the main goal of the project. Continuity of spaces makes it
a suitable place for any kind of moving and temporary exhibition, without redundant wall
divisions or interruptions. Entering the atrium, the main elements of the project are evident:
concrete curved walls, suspended black staircases, open ceiling catching natural light. By these
elements Zaha Hadid intended 'a new fluid kind of spatiality of multiple perspective points and
fragmented geometry, designed to embody the chaotic fluidity of modern life'.
Save this picture!
This statement of the architect, as usual of hers, brought out the question if the concept of de-
constructed fluidity matched with the identity of a “static” city as Rome, and with its classical
heritage. The response of critics and public has been positive. Especially in this context, in the
relation with the existing fabrics, the curved smooth walls dialogue with the neo-classical
symmetrical facades. The new organism includes in its developing the front- side building, by
clean and blind surfaces at the side, thus declaring the feasibility and the need of coexistence.
The museum is well inserted in the urban block situation, taking from it its guidelines, and
opening its cut-end wings as panoramic viewpoints.
Particular attention has been given to the natural lighting, by the thin concrete beams on the
ceiling, together with glass covering and filtering systems. The same beams have a bottom rail
from which art pieces are going to be suspended. The beams, the staircases and the linear
lighting system guide the visitors through the interior walkway, which ends in the large space on
third level. From here, a large window offers a view back to the city, though obstructed by a
massive core.

The museum participates actively to the location – Rome, and its first outskirt, not a part of the
old center, but still central. The Flaminio neighbourhood has been interested in the last years by a
renovation program of public attraction, the latest being the Auditorium by Renzo Piano. The
long MAXXI construction process completes the idea of a renewed city. Moreover, MAXXI is
the first national museum of contemporary art in Italy. It will bring a lot of attentions, by public
and media, together with economical activities, rendering this museum a central point for Rome,
which is in constant look for its contemporary identity.
- Andrea Giannotti

Project location

Address:Rome, Flaminio, Italy

National science center
Introduction:
National Science Museum
 locates at the Pragati Maidan Complex on Bhairon Marg, New Delhi.
 established in 1992
 designed by Achyut P. Kanvinde
 The footfall of the museum is 4,00,000 persons per year.
Area Detail:
 Plot Area: 7000sqm
 Ground Coverage: 3750 sqm
 Total built-up area: 18000 sqm no1
 Permissible F.A.R.- 2.5

Site Surroundings:
 East: Pragati Maidan and Exhibition Grounds
 West: Pragati Maidan Gate
 South: 40 m wide Bhairon Marg and Purana Qila

Facilities:
There are 30 parking for car and 30 parking for 2 wheelers.
There are A.C. conference hall which has three sections with
temporary folding partitions having seats 28, 16 &12 respectively.
The Centre has a fully air conditioned auditorium having a seating capacity of 320.
Circulation:
 Center has forced system of circulation
 Visitor, upon entering on the first floor is taken to the third floor via escalator.
 Then he visits a half circuit of the third floor galleries, take the stairs to the fourth floor to do a
complete loop of the galleries.
 Then he come down to the other half of the third floor. From here he
 find his way to the galleries below on the second floor.
 Galleries on fourth floor are under repair.
Services:
 Underground fire-tank of 2000000L capacity.
 A 200Ton A.C. plant used for auditorium.
 There are 2 additional plants of 25Ton for each Seminar halls.
Lighting:
 Artificial lighting is done in all the galleried with daylight exhibits kept to minimum.
 Sky lighting through fiberglass skylights is also done in galleries.
Structure:
 Pile foundation is 20M deep.
 Structural elements are precast to save time.
 Coffer slabs are used.
 Basement height- 4.15 m & Floor to floor height- 3.6 m
 6th Floor:
• Services

5th Floor:
• Observatory &
Radio Station

4th Floor:
• Biology Exhibition

3rd Floor:
• Indian Heritage
Gallery
• Dinosaur Gallery00

2nd Floor:
• Libr ary
• Fun Science Gallery