Architecture and Archaeology in Via dei Villini

From the Foreword by Francesco Prosperetti, Superintendent. Superintendence for the Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of the City of Rome.

As the head architect of the Superintendence of Archaeology, it is deeply satisfying to see such harmony
between archaeological remains and restoration work in a historical building.
Here, the two professions have found a space within which to enter into dialogue and achieve excellent
results.

I must therefore praise my technicians who used their skill and perseverance to preserve and protect
our archaeological heritage and thank the Italiana Costruzioni team for having the patience and
professionalism needed to develop such an important and excellent project.
The results we have achieved more than compensate for all the archaeological heritage that was
left buried beneath new construction work last century and will give employees and visitors to the
building an idea of just how incredible Rome's archaeological heritage is, how it permeates every
area of the city and just how similar it is to our daily lives.
The selection of the items on display in the cabinets is also designed to show visitors aspects of
antiquity that they can most relate to, as well as showcasing singular elements such as the collection
of hairpins that shows each phase of their manufacture.
The opus sectile flooring is of particular beauty: it survived both fire and the destruction of the centuries
to be carefully restored and displayed beneath a transparent floor. The same can be said of
the mosaic room where the contrast with the modern structures that destroyed a beautiful section of
the ancient suburban villa a few decades ago is quite striking.
All that remains is for me to hope that the results of these attempts to protect and promote can be
an example and a stimulus for all projects that have to balance our rich past with the need for the
growth, development and renewal of our city on a daily basis.

From the Introduction

Why build new headquarters? Why the Villino?
Because it is home, and that is what we always do!
Respecting a place and its original identity, which must never be distorted or replaced with another,
but must merge with the new; this must not frighten us, we must not think that a historical site should
remain immaculate, immobile, like a knick-knack displayed in a glass cabinet. It must be lived in,
inhabited, used, but also admired, because living and working within beauty is good for us, it inspires
us. The Villino with its Historical location encourages us to not lose contact with our past. This might
signify avoiding new perspectives and challenges, remaining immobile against our own nature and
against time, which both actually encourage us towards dynamism.
A place is not just a container, a grey box where objects and people can simply be deposited.
Within this sad perspective a place loses its meaning and becomes a "no place", where depth and
perspective are flattened and not even the human spirit can survive.