Basilica of San Clemente & Archaelogical Site

A most amazing setting that condenses Rome’s centuries of history within the descent of two sets of stairs, San Clemente is a monument rare in combining religious significance, cultural richness and architectural splendour with suspenseful stories of archaeological quests. The proposed concept aimed at balancing these, in order to provide a meaningful and profound visitor experience. Fine, discrete layers of digital interpretation and lighting combined with trails of fragments and stories is the suggested approach to achieve a seamless result that respects the authenticity and holiness of the site.

Client

San Clemente Dominican order

Timeframe

2020-2023

Location

Rome, Italy

Project Owner

Event Communications- with Natalia Karakosta being the 3D Design Lead, part of a multidisciplinary team

A fine balance

The monument being so unique and arresting, the question that lingered was: do we really need to do anything at all in this space? How do you facilitate the understanding of such a complex site, how do you reveal the stories without disturbing the genius loci? By listening carefully to the Dominican Brothers and understanding what the priorities were for them, we realised that our interventions should not stand proud in the space- but rather be minimal and quiet. This principle defined the interpretive approach.

Project Highlights

Images by

Natalia Karakosta