Roma

Rome is one of the most attractive metropolitan cities in the world, it is known as the city built on layers over centuries. Our group got to begin our study abroad trip with Rome, our first site destination once we landed was Saint Peter’s square. One of the first public spaces I have experienced that architecturally and spatially draws people to a meaningful structure. It was amazing to see many large spaces designed for community, intentionally to gather the people of the city. As I spent time here, I came to understand what the city fabric of Rome is like. The mass vs void creates a sense of funneling in of people through corridors, as people travel through these corridors they will eventually get to an open space: a square or intersection of streets or a monument. And as I walk through these corridors I get a sense of what the city culture is like (this is where I am being primed), and once I get to the end of the corridor, and enter the threshold that is between the corridor and square, I can get a taste of Rome. And it feels like energy is being released once I enter the open space. This phenomenon is important to architecture because it primes the human for what they are about to see and experience, and it stirs curiosity in us because it inspires us.

The liveliness of this city was magical. What stood out to me personally was the ancient feeling that the city holds with a modern environment inhabiting it. What I mean by this is that Rome is rich with so much history and gorgeous architecture, nothing compares to it; but even with that truth, it does not feel like you are in that point of time because of the busyness and traffic of the city. This is a unique and beautiful experience because it shows the past and present colliding. Something I treasure and will take away from Rome is intricacy and purpose in design. The craftsmanship in every church I entered was astounding and notable, it drives me to want to design with a level of intention and integrity.