SPQR Fellowship

Excellent architecture abounds in Rome. Obviously, the classic architecture of the city is infamous, but on Thursday I visited some inspiring modern architecture. Zaha Hadid’s MAXXI Museum was completed in 2010 in northern Rome. Some friends had said it was an outstanding museum, and since I had never been in any of Zaha’s work before, I was especially excited. To get there I took the metro as far north as Piazza del Popolo, then walked for about 30 minutes. The walk was quite interesting, as it was a different feel from what I had yet experienced in Rome. There were hardly any tourists, and it was a more relaxed, peaceful environment. The street was divided by a wide, tree lined area with parks, playgrounds, and restaurants.

The museum is tucked away off the main street, and it has a large plaza from which you enter. The architecture looms above and around the area. Inside, the color scheme is white, black, red and silver. The large atrium held large black stairs that rose and curved to the different levels. It was impressive.

I expected to be most excited about the architecture of the museum itself, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that one of the exhibits was on Gerrit Rietveld. It was an incredible exhibition! There were original drawings, models, chairs, and more of the architect’s work. There were also chairs by Breuer and other contemporaries of the period. It was so exciting to see drawings of the Shroder house, and Rietveld’s Zig-Zag chair. My other favorite piece in the museum was the original trace paper drawing of Maison Domino by Le Corbusier! It’s so exciting to learn about all of these things and then get to see the originals!

The architecture of the museum was fabulous. Ramps wound their way through the galleries, and there were large window expanses that opened into views of the plaza. Little details such as the lighting of the hand railings that were carved into the wall and larger concepts like the skylight system of the building motivating and exciting.

As I worked my way back into the center of Rome, I walked through Piazza del Popolo again. This time, it was what I was expecting! People filled the Piazza, resting on the fountain and obelisk base, passing through the streets, and gathering in groups. It definitely felt more like an Italian piazza!

My next stop was the Pantheon! There aren’t words to describe the feeling when you walk inside. It is just sheer amazement! The incredible feat of the dome and oculus that surrounds you just makes you stop and stare in awe. I did not have too much time before the Pantheon closed, so I spent my time admiring the coiffeurs and the oculus.

It was quite an inspirational day!

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