MERGING MATTATOIO
COMMNUITY ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT, 2024, Rome
In collaboration with: Isabella Markham
Merging Mattatoio is designed to connect the ex-slaughterhouse site with the existing and new programming. It fosters opportunities for gathering and interaction, while welcoming the growing demographic of seniors, alongside students, artists, children the surrounding community. The project encourages intergenerational knowledge exchange to provide people with a sense of purpose and connection and combat social isolation. The massing follows the existing axes of the surrounding buildings, making it feel like a natural extension of the site. It reflects the design of a typical Roman public space, featuring a central piazza that encourages social activities. Each building includes a colonnade facing the piazza, acting as a transition between semi-private spaces and the public area. Dedicated courtyards serve as spill-out spaces to match each building’s program. The interior layout mirrors the same approach as the exterior. The entrance atrium works as the main public space, with mezzanines and corridors acting as semi-private zones that lead into more private programming. The main facades are finished in brick to reflect the existing materiality of the site. Carved out spaces are clad in green metal to create a contrast and hierarchy between the facades.
THE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Approach for developing a sense of purpose for seniors:
create opportunities for volunteering and partnerships
encourage an active lifestyle
allow for spaces to be used to create better quality of life through access to care, career and health services
encourage independence through ease of design
design flexible spaces for hobby activities such as gardening, cooking and craft
provide spaces for life long learning and education
allow for intergenerational interactions
Massing Approach:
continue axes from historical ex-slaughter house down to the river
create piazza with primary facades facing inwards to create busy public area
create access to river and bike path
each space must create a series of levels of public and private to allow for flexible uses and continuous activation
