MAXXI's Piazza Alighiero Boetti to become a greener garden by June 2026

Construction has officially begun on the depaving and greening of Piazza Alighiero Boetti in front of the MAXXI museum in Rome, as part of the Grande MAXXI masterplan. The project, led by landscape architects Bureau Bas Smets (part of the consortium headed by LAN – Local Architecture Network, winner of the international competition), covers approximately 5,400 square meters. Without altering the original layout by Zaha Hadid Architects, the intervention addresses climate and social issues: removing concrete panels to replace them with permeable soil, vegetation, and new trees (softscape), aiming to reduce the heat island effect and improve thermal comfort. The softscape will increase from 5.16% to 15.8% of the total surface. The new space is conceived as a flexible urban threshold for exhibitions, performances, informal gatherings, and neighborhood life. Completion is expected by June 2026. A public meeting is scheduled for March 17 at the MAXXI Auditorium at 5:30 PM to present the project to the local community and experts.