Rome: MAXXI Art Gallery (Italy)

The MAXXI Gallery is a true testament to the skill and virtuosity of Zaha Hadid with her elaborate exploration of complex sweeping curved spaces – the elements of the new building woven into the landscape of the neighbourhood of existing industrial buildings on the site, both reinforcing and subverting the traditional urban geometry.

Commissioned in 1999 after a competition with 273 entries, it was completed in 2009 and officially opened with collections installed in 2010. It is a clever intertwining of gallery spaces, circulation, lightwells and indoor and outdoor spaces. The design challenges preconceptions about gallery space, not limiting itself to merely one ‘type’ of gallery but allowing for a multitude of possible spaces for the display of all types of art and exhibitions.

The building is a total journey – from the context and surrounding buildings, to the new MAXXI building itself partly grafted onto an existing warehouse. The parts come together in a very cohesive, exciting whole – from inside to outside, from public areas to gallery spaces, all the way to the external fire stairs that few people will ever take the time to see – all beautifully composed and detailed. Enjoy!