C O R N E L L U N I V E R S I T Y R O M E P R O G R A M : F O U N D AT I O N S I N A R C H I T E C T U R E , S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 / / I N S T R U C T O R : T E S S C L A N C Y
NAME: ALEX STEELMAN SITE: SQUARE COLOSSEUM A M E TA P H Y S I C A L T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
A M E TA P H Y S I C A L T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
YOUR BEST/MOST DESCRIPTIVE DRAWING SHOULD GO HERE
PA G E 1
IMPERIAL FRAGMENTS / FRAGMENTING THE IMPERIAL
Inspired by the monumental architecture of Imperial Rome, Benito Mussolini strived to insert his fascist agenda through the construction of new urban spaces and monuments. The creation the urban development E42 (now called the EUR) initially functioned as a space for Mussolini to showcase fascism through a series of monumental structures and alteration of the urban space. One of the most prominent structures and perhaps most recognizable, is the Square Colosseum. The structure stands as a testament to the monumentality of the EUR. By the time construction on the building was complete, it had already lost its functional value due to World War II. The building was left abandoned for a decade, uninhabited by anyone except for its 28 classical statues which stand in the first floor arches on its exterior. It’s iconic facade has received a range of opinions over the years. Film director Federico Fellini described the building as a “house built for ghosts or statues”. A Metaphysical Transformation emphasizes the abandoned and metaphysical feel of the Square Colosseum. The hedge maze and water intervention work together to create a series of new spaces in the surrounding walkway which include metaphysical “scenes” for the viewer as they walk through. The statues are no longer stagnant, set in their original positions, but instead relocated throughout the new series of spaces so as one walks through they are forced to encounter these statues, the original inhabitants, on their way. The design’s goal is to set the Square Colosseum into a real life metaphysical scene inspired by compositions from metaphysical paintings. The focus remains on the building’s facade as the intervention acts as a constant barrier between the person and the building. Similar to buildings set in the background of metaphysical paintings, the Square Colosseum while always present in view, is unreachable and therefore absent from people. This separation from human interaction further develops into a separation from time and supports the idea that it is a structure only inhabited by statues. It also acts as a reminder of the buildings lost functionality and time of abandonment after the fall of fascism.
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Site Photographs and drawings (1) Proposed design of Square Colosseum (2) View of EUR during initial stage of development (3) Image of classical statues set in arches (4) Image while under construction (5) View of first floor exterior (6) Scene from “Last Man Standing”
PA G E 2
IMPERIAL FRAGMENTS / FRAGMENTING THE IMPERIAL
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C O R N E L L U N I V E R S I T Y R O M E P R O G R A M : F O U N D AT I O N S I N A R C H I T E C T U R E , S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 / / I N S T R U C T O R : T E S S C L A N C Y
NAME: ALEX STEELMAN SITE: SQUARE COLOSSEUM A M E TA P H Y S I C A L T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
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Early studies and drawings (1) Collage using parts of scenes from metaphysical paintings set around the Square Colosseum (2) Sketch showing water intervention and displacement of statues
PA G E 3
IMPERIAL FRAGMENTS / FRAGMENTING THE IMPERIAL
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C O R N E L L U N I V E R S I T Y R O M E P R O G R A M : F O U N D AT I O N S I N A R C H I T E C T U R E , S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 / / I N S T R U C T O R : T E S S C L A N C Y
NAME: ALEX STEELMAN SITE: SQUARE COLOSSEUM A M E TA P H Y S I C A L T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
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(3) Site Photographs and drawings ( 1 ) Wa t e r d e t a i l i n h e d g e m a z e ( 2 ) H e a d i n a h e d g e m a z e ( 3 ) C h a n g i n g v i e w s o f s t a t u e s o v e r t i m e PA G E 4
IMPERIAL FRAGMENTS / FRAGMENTING THE IMPERIAL
(1)
C O R N E L L U N I V E R S I T Y R O M E P R O G R A M : F O U N D AT I O N S I N A R C H I T E C T U R E , S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 / / I N S T R U C T O R : T E S S C L A N C Y
NAME: ALEX STEELMAN SITE:SQUARE COLOSSEUM A M E TA P H Y S I C A L T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
A Metaphysical Hedge Collage of metaphysical paintings and compositions viewed through a hedge PA G E 5
IMPERIAL FRAGMENTS / FRAGMENTING THE IMPERIAL
C O R N E L L U N I V E R S I T Y R O M E P R O G R A M : F O U N D AT I O N S I N A R C H I T E C T U R E , S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 / / I N S T R U C T O R : T E S S C L A N C Y
NAME: ALEX STEELMAN SITE: SQUARE COLOSSEUM A M E TA P H Y S I C A L T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
IMPERIAL FRAGMENTS / FRAGMENTING THE IMPERIAL
PA G E 6
Site Plan 1:500 Above is a site plan and timeline collage showing location of site within the E42 plan along with a plan view of site and intervention with surrounding streets and structures.
C O R N E L L U N I V E R S I T Y R O M E P R O G R A M : F O U N D AT I O N S I N A R C H I T E C T U R E , S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 / / I N S T R U C T O R : T E S S C L A N C Y
NAME: ALEX STEELMAN SITE: SQUARE COLOSSEUM A M E TA P H Y S I C A L T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
PA G E 7
Plan and Section 1:250 Plan and section drawings of hedge and water intervention
IMPERIAL FRAGMENTS / FRAGMENTING THE IMPERIAL
C O R N E L L U N I V E R S I T Y R O M E P R O G R A M : F O U N D AT I O N S I N A R C H I T E C T U R E , S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 / / I N S T R U C T O R : T E S S C L A N C Y
NAME: ALEX STEELMAN SITE: SQUARE COLOSSEUM A M E TA P H Y S I C A L T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
Diagrams Above are diagrams demonstrating a series of scenes and pathways within the hedge maze. PA G E 8
IMPERIAL FRAGMENTS / FRAGMENTING THE IMPERIAL
C O R N E L L U N I V E R S I T Y R O M E P R O G R A M : F O U N D AT I O N S I N A R C H I T E C T U R E , S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 / / I N S T R U C T O R : T E S S C L A N C Y
NAME: ALEX STEELMAN SITE: SQUARE COLOSSEUM A M E TA P H Y S I C A L T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
IMPERIAL FRAGMENTS / FRAGMENTING THE IMPERIAL
PA G E 9
Axonometric 1:125 Axonometric view of hedge maze and water intervention along with relocation of statues from inside first floor arches to the surrounding areas.
C O R N E L L U N I V E R S I T Y R O M E P R O G R A M : F O U N D AT I O N S I N A R C H I T E C T U R E , S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 / / I N S T R U C T O R : T E S S C L A N C Y
NAME: ALEX STEELMAN SITE: SQUARE COLOSSEUM A M E TA P H Y S I C A L T R A N S F O R M AT I O N