One of the last interventions of Massimiliano Fuksas in the heart of Rome is the H&M flagship store. A refurbishment and extension of an historic building.
He has opted for a strong intervention – a disadvantage for conservatives – that, at the same time, can be reconciled the most with the context and with the building itself. This way, everyone is happy.
The “Palazzo ex unione militare” was recently renovated by the Italian architect Massimiliano Fuksas. Among other interventions, for the H&M flagship store he has chosen to introduce aleading and towering structure of steel and glass that runs through the four floors of the building, according to a “Parametric” form which is visible only partially from the road.
The so-called “lantern“, true icon of the project, it’s up on the roof height of about 7.50 m from the ground level and it hosts a scenic space of 300 square meters.
How do you judge it? A too invasive intervention or a great piece of parasite architecture?
Photo copyright ©Gianni Basso
All photographs (except where specified) ©Luca Onniboni – (do whatever you want, reminding us)
2 Responses
Hi Luca:
We’re in Rome for the rest of September (from Toronto). It is always so special here. Could be possibly suggest a few pieces of architecture in the city that we could visit, at least from the exterior? I your review published in 2015 on the rooftop installation at the H&M head office. All the best, John Fitzgerald
Hello John! I would reccomend the following:
MAXXI Museum by Zaha Hadid Architects
Palasport by Pier Luigi Nervi
Parco della Musica by Renzo Piano
La Nuvola by Fuksas
Ara Pacis Museum by Richard Meier
Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana (EUR district)
and of course all the ancient and historical architecture!
You’re welcome!