Mario Cucinella designs new rectorate building for Roma Tre University

Mario Cucinella Architects has been commissioned to design the new rectorate building for Roma Tre University in Rome. The project, recognized for its architectural quality in a February 2015 note on urbanistica.comune.roma.it, is set to proceed after a project financing tender was awarded. Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2016. The nine-story above-ground structure will include an aula magna, classrooms, meeting rooms, a 'piazza telematica', administrative offices, and parking in two basement levels. The design features three fluid oval volumes on a trapezoidal lot near the former Mercati Generali and Ponte Spizzichino. Energy efficiency is a priority, with building orientation and form optimized to reduce energy demand and enhance comfort. Green elements include vertical vegetation on facades, terraces with deciduous trees, and a 'rectorate garden' with Mediterranean species, acers, aromatic plants, and lawns. This project marks a redemption for Cucinella in Rome, following the stalled Campidoglio 2 project, which was reassigned to studio ABDR.