Science Forest, the new Science Museum in Rome, the winning proposal by ADAT Studio

ADAT Studio, the Rome-based architectural firm founded by Antonio Atripaldi and Andrea Debilio, has created a project that aims to change the way knowledge, nature and history engage in a constant dialogue. The museum becomes a hub for citizens and researchers, a new open community that surpasses conventional boundaries between public and private, natural and artificial, past and future.

The complex blends into the urban fabric and future developments, connecting with neighbouring projects such as Flaminio Urban Project and the new MAXXI – Green MAXXI and MAXXI hub. The design preserves the existing walls of the SMMEP (Military Establishment of Precision Electronic Materials). At the same time, the interior of the building defines a new public urban park merging with the adjacent planned park area.

Spaces on the ground floor will be accessible to everyone, featuring a double-height foyer, a cafeteria, a bookshop, and a restaurant. Along with the urban forest open to the city, these areas form a ‘diffuse gallery’ for hosting exhibitions, events and science-related meetings. Science Forest becomes a place for gathering, studying and encouraging debates.

An on-demand gallery and areas for research and management support the new terrace, offering a buffer zone for open-air exhibitions that fades the threshold between the existing volume and the glass surface.

Technological capsules of various shapes and sizes appear to float above the park, supported by a forest of artificial trees and connected by glazed bridges. The building is protected by a semi-transparent, open skin that allows natural ventilation and enhances the chimney effect. The roof and the south elevation are covered with PV panels, ensuring the mass production of energy for the building.

Conceived as a passive bioclimatic box, the museum offers visitors an experience with plant communities in a new ecosystem. The architecture and landscape arise from a holistic approach, enhancing the biological interactions with flora, fauna, and other organisms. The Museo della Scienza di Roma project aims to attain a high level of certification according to LEED® and WELL® protocols to guarantee optimal comfort conditions and reduce energy consumption.

The expected start of the work is scheduled for 2025.

Lead Architect: ADAT Studio
With: Luca Galli, Michele Sacchi, Filippo Testa e Laura Zevi
Landscape: P’Arcnouveau
Engineering: WSP
Fire consulting, Safety: GAe