MACRO

Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome

The MACRO – Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome represents one of the most significant projects in contemporary Rome, not only for its cultural function but also for the expressive power of its expansion designed by Odile Decq. Nestled within the urban fabric of the Nomentano district, the museum was born from the redevelopment of the former Peroni factory, an industrial complex converted into a space dedicated to the production and enjoyment of contemporary art.

The expansion, inaugurated in 2010, introduces a bold and recognizable architectural language, in stark contrast to the existing structures. Odile Decq constructs a complex system of suspended volumes, walkways, inclined surfaces, and fluid spaces, where color—particularly intense red paired with black—becomes an identifying element and a perceptual guide. The architecture does not merely contain the works, but presents itself as an autonomous spatial experience, capable of accompanying the visitor along a dynamic and non-linear journey.

Inside, the sequence of spaces is structured in a continuous alternation of solids and voids, light and shadow, sudden glimpses and unexpected viewpoints. Suspended walkways and sculptural staircases create a network of visual connections that connect the museum's different levels, transforming the visit into an immersive, almost cinematic experience. Natural light, filtered through large glass surfaces and skylights, interacts with artificial lighting, contributing to the ever-changing atmospheres.

The MACRO thus emerges as an open entity, in which architecture and contemporary art are inextricably intertwined. It is not merely an exhibition space, but an urban device capable of fostering relationships, experimentation, and new ways of enjoying culture. The photo gallery conveys precisely this dimension: a careful look at the geometries, materials, construction details, and spatial complexity of a work that interprets the theme of the museum in the historic city in a contemporary key.

See the project's DWG drawings….>>