Studio Insula wins competition to transform Rome's Pontifical Arsenal into Quadriennale headquarters
Founded in 2002 by Eugenio Cipollone, Paolo Orsini, and Roberto Lorenzotti, Studio Insula has secured the contract for restoring the former Pontifical Arsenal located in Rome's Porta Portese area. This initiative, commissioned by MiBACT, aims to transform the site into the permanent home for the Quadriennale di Roma. Originally constructed under Pope Clement XI, the Arsenal functioned until the late 19th century, with a public cultural use agreement signed in March 2018. The renovation plan features offices, exhibition areas, and a café/bookshop, alongside necessary seismic enhancements and system upgrades. Additionally, Studio Insula is working on renovations for the German Archaeological Institute and is a finalist for the Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato restoration.
Key facts
- Studio Insula won the tender for restoration of the ex-Arsenale Clementino Pontificio in Rome
- The Arsenal was built under Pope Clement XI for river port customs and operated until late 19th century
- MiBACT signed an agreement with Fondazione La Quadriennale di Roma in March 2018 for public cultural use
- The project will house Quadriennale offices, archive, library, exhibition spaces, café/bookshop, and a public piazza
- Studio Insula is also renovating the German Archaeological Institute in Rome, a 1960s building
- The German Institute project involves seismic retrofitting and complete interior demolition
- Studio Insula is shortlisted with Wenzel+Wenzel and Kuehn Malvezzi for the Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato restoration
- The firm has worked on numerous urban projects in Rome including Ostiense Marconi, Flaminio Foro Italico, and Piazza Augusto Imperatore
Entities
Institutions
- Studio Insula
- MiBACT
- Fondazione La Quadriennale di Roma
- Quadriennale di Roma
- Soprintendenza
- Istituto Archeologico Tedesco (German Archaeological Institute)
- Wenzel+Wenzel
- Bollinger+Grohmann
- IGP
- Kuehn Malvezzi Associates
- Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato
- Artribune
- PresS/Tfactory_AIAC
- Interno14
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Porta Portese
- Tiber River
- Villa Carpegna
- Esquilino
- Ostiense Marconi
- Flaminio Foro Italico
- Piazza Augusto Imperatore
- Stazione Tiburtina
- Testaccio
- Germany