PRECEDENT

The Villa was built from the year 118 by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a place of retreat in Tivoli, not far from Rome. It is a complex of buildings designed with a hypotactic polycentric radial composition. Palaces, thermal baths, temples, libraries, halls and residential quarters are housed in it.

The whole is part of a set of green spaces decorated with bodies of water, and built on the inspiration of various styles, especially showing echoes of Greek and Egyptian architecture. It was rediscovered in the fifteenth century, since then a historical interest in the area was developed and in 1999 it was declared a World Heritage Site. 

ANALYSIS

The fact that Villa Adriana is somehow marginal compared to the territorial infrastructure, is evident and visible from the maps. The archaeological zone is located quite far for a pedestrian from the main train station, and the only bus that arrives at its entrance passes every hour or two hours depending on the day.

Furthermore, taking a look at the Quality charter of the Ministry of Culture, it is found that the current services that are offered in the archeological area of Villa Adriana are insufficient to provide a comfortable environment while touring the entire historical site. This certainly compromises its visitability and the influx of visitors, and consequently its management and fundraising.

URBAN MASTERPLAN

The proposal involves a larger scale necessary to add value through the revitalisation of the urban district. The creation of an urban masterplan could give a new perspective to the territory, starting with the public transport and the variety of services, which can help Villa Adriana to be more accessible for tourists.

Additional bus routes will be incorporated into the existing lines to cover a greater area around the site, along with the renovation of the road infrastructure and signage. As well, the incorporation of a shuttle service that passes through the train stations will be added, with stops where the accommodations are concentrated in the adjacent towns.

SITE MASTERPLAN

The site masterplan proposes the enlargement of the visitable area and a landscape intervention. It will incorporate new facilities and pavilions along the villa that create more possible pathways: a system that integrates services and history in a new narrative.

This will help the visitor to have a pleasant journey, leaving with a deeper image of the past. The exhibit pavilions, in addition to the existing one of the Antiquarium, will showcase Villa Adriana’s past and the life of Emperor Hadrian.