Every Fall Semester Starts with the Premio Piranesi
Here at Pantheon Institute, our Fall semester kicks off with the Premio Piranesi, a unique design competition that grants students direct access to the Villa Adriana, one of the largest and most important pieces of Italian patrimony.
In collaboration with our partner program, the Accademia Adrianea, the Premio Prix di Piranesi is an international design competition, open to both undergraduate and graduate architecture students enrolled with Pantheon Institute or the A.A. that focused on the museography and scenography of archeological sites. Participant students are challenged to reimagine the ancient and sprawling complex and propose structural projects and additions that would allow for modern day visitors to better engage with this enormous site of Italian antiquity. The goal of the competition is to train students on the practice and value of adapting, safeguarding, and promoting archeological heritage in the modern age.
Premio Prix di Roma Competition Fall 2018
The two-week workshop and competition is now in its 22nd year, originally launched in 2003.
Villa Adriana is located in Tivoli, a small town at the falls of the Aniene river just outside of Rome, which can be traced back to the settlement of “Tibur” in the 13th century BC. Surrounded by the Sabine hills, the area is famous for its natural beauty and abundant water source, and was for this reason that Emperor Hadrian transformed the site into his personal retreat.
Built in 120 AD, the megalithic complex of buildings, which includes many pools, baths, fountains, spans over a square kilometer. The structures were commissioned by Hadrian to emulate Greek, Egyptian, and Roman designs, with even some of the buildings named after Egyptian cities or temples. Comprised of over 30 monumental buildings and surrounded by lush gardens and nymphaea, Villa Adriana is considered to be one of the most impressive villas of ancient Rome.
The competition begins with students first touring the Villa, guided by Pantheon Institute and Accademia Adrianea professors, and exploring the archeological site up close. Students listen to lectures, take sketches, and investigate the villa all day long.
Premio Piranesi Fall 2024
Premio Piranesi Fall 2018
Premio Piranesi Fall 2018
Premio Piranesi Fall 2018
Over the next week, students work in teams of 3 or 4 to collaborate on a proposal and presentation.
Designing out of our Gatta and Lata studios, the teams present as a group in front of a panel of Pantheon Institute professors.
This year, judging was overseen by Professor Martemucci, Professor Edoardo Capella, and Professor Lavinia Nanini.
Studio Work and Final Presentations Fall 2024
Emperor Hadrian serves as the inspiration for the naming of both the Pantheon Institute and the Accdemica Adrianea. Hadrian was prolific in his architectural projects. Not only did he commission the villa, he completely rebuilt the Pantheon itself, previously destroyed by his predecessor during the fires of Nero. Today, both the villa and the Pantheon serve as a testament and enduring relevance of beautiful and culturally-important architectural design.
We asked Pantheon Institute President, Professor Romolo Martemucci, what he thinks is the importance of the Premio Piranesi.
“Given the strong connection between architecture and archeology. As Villa Adriana is one of the most unique archeological sites of its kind and it assumes the role of a prestigious training ground where students can design their projects on the relation between the reality of the archeological runes and the languages of architecture and contemporary arts.”
Professor Romolo Martemucci
Professor Martemucci made the comparison between fashion and architecture and the pragmatism of these two design modalities.
“Fashion has guidelines, obviously, but not fixed rules since they are strictly related to our personal taste, which is constantly evolving and changing. Architecture, on the contrary, is governed by rules that serve to create functional and aesthetic spaces. When observing an archeological site, the first question that comes to our mind is ‘What was the purpose of this space?’ Fortunately, we can easily answer thanks to the architectural evolution that can be tracked from the prehistoric era to present day. And thus, this is the reason why architecture student should not miss the opportunity to visit cities like Rome and attend events like the Premio Piranesi. It’s important to see, to study, and to understand the beginning of this art to continue shaping the built environment.”
Professor Romolo Martemucci
The competition concludes with an awards ceremony, this year featuring a rooftop pizza dinner. Winners of the Premio Piranese received a tuition reduction on enrollment to the Accademia Adrianea’s Master’s program.
2024 Premio Piranesi participants at the conclusory dinner.
Congratulations to this year’s winners! We can’t wait to see what the rest of the semester has in store for you.
