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Studio IT'S Architects on Redesigning Rome's Public Spaces for Jubilee 2025

architecture-design · 2026-04-27

The architecture firm IT'S, established by Alessandro Cambi, Francesco Marinelli, and Paolo Mezzalama in Rome, is spearheading urban renewal initiatives for Jubilee 2025. Their offices are situated in a repurposed pozzolana mine close to Tiburtina station, embodying their 'IT'S method.' A key endeavor is the transformation of Piazza dei Cinquecento, which they secured in a 2021 competition alongside French firm TVK and others. Construction commenced on October 16, 2023, featuring a new parking structure, a park with 500 trees, a revamped bus terminal, and a tram line. Additionally, IT'S has triumphed in a competition near Vatican City and promotes an environmentally conscious approach to public spaces, with other projects including the redevelopment of the former INPS building and a contemporary structure in EUR.

Key facts

  • IT'S was founded by Alessandro Cambi, Francesco Marinelli, and Paolo Mezzalama.
  • Studio headquarters is in a former pozzolana mine and WWII shelter near Tiburtina station.
  • Piazza dei Cinquecento redevelopment won in 2021 competition with TVK, ARTELIA Italia, NET Engineering, Michela Rustici, Latitude Platform.
  • Construction started October 16, 2023.
  • Design includes 500 trees, new parking slab, reconfigured bus terminal, and tram line Termini-Vaticano-Aurelio.
  • Project aims to connect Piazza dei Cinquecento to the Baths of Diocletian museum.
  • IT'S also working on areas near Vatican City: Via Ottaviano, Via Gregorio VII.
  • Former INPS building on Via dell'Amba Aradam revealed a Roman villa of Empress Maxima.
  • INPS building has a 'meteorological' facade that responds to sunlight.
  • IT'S has offices in Paris and Geneva; projects include Nanterre university campus and Bordeaux office building.
  • Architects criticize Rome's lack of care for green spaces and governance fragmentation.
  • They advocate for an 'environmental' approach to public space, focusing on soil permeability and micro-urban agriculture.

Entities

Artists

  • Alessandro Cambi
  • Francesco Marinelli
  • Paolo Mezzalama
  • Michel Desvigne
  • Alfonso Femia
  • Valentina Silvestrini

Institutions

  • IT'S
  • TVK
  • ARTELIA Italia
  • NET Engineering
  • Michela Rustici
  • Latitude Platform for Urban Research and Design
  • Gruppo FS Italiane
  • Comune di Roma
  • Museo Nazionale Romano
  • INPS
  • Biennale dello Stretto
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Rome
  • Italy
  • Tiburtina station
  • Piazza dei Cinquecento
  • Termini station
  • Baths of Diocletian
  • Vatican City
  • Via Ottaviano
  • Via Gregorio VII
  • Via dell'Amba Aradam
  • EUR
  • Viale della Civiltà del Lavoro
  • Paris
  • France
  • Geneva
  • Switzerland
  • Nanterre
  • Bordeaux
  • Tiber River
  • Ponte Milvio
  • Ostia
  • Provenza
  • Bretagna

Sources