Roma Termini's historic ACEI control cabin to become cultural center

Fondazione FS Italiane has announced a project to transform the historic ACEI (Apparato Centrale Elettrico a Itinerari) cabin at Roma Termini station into a large cultural center. The rationalist architecture building, designed by architect Angiolo Mazzoni in 1938 under Benito Mussolini's railway reorganization, will house the foundation's archives, exhibition spaces, and event venues. The 20-meter-tall travertine-clad structure, located on Via Giovanni Giolitti near Santa Bibiana church, was in service until 1989. The new center will feature a multipurpose hall for conferences and events, preserving original architectural elements. A subterranean bunker built in the 1940s will become an open-space archive with digital and multimedia study stations, housing records from the former Azienda Autonoma FS, Servizio Lavori e Costruzioni, and Servizio impianti elettrici. The entrance foyer will display prints and images of Italian history. Construction is already underway, including removal of graffiti by the artist GECO, but an opening date has not been announced. Engineer Luigi Francesco Cantamessa Armati, director of Fondazione FS Italiane, stated the foundation will offer Rome and travelers an attraction combining history, technology, and operations of Italy's largest railway hub. The project is part of broader urban renewal for the Esquilino district, which also includes the former Zecca building recently assigned via competition.