3GATTI imagines origami tennis temple with floating roof in foro italico, rome

folded paper stadium by 3gatti

Architecture firm 3GATTI has completed the design for a sculptural ‘Tennis Temple’ with a kinetic roof within the Foro Italico sports complex, in Rome, Italy. The structure is born out of the concept of a folded paper structure, an origami landmark that serves as a metaphor for lightness and elegance. The intricate paper folds emerge as the true protagonist of the stadium, highlighting the monumental white surroundings — a reminder of rationalist architecture, of order, and drama.

street view of the open configuration of the movable roof

all images courtesy of 3GATTI

a temporary structure in motion

Paying tribute to Pier Luigi Nervi, the architecture by 3GATTI (see more here) takes shape as a folded structure with a kinetic roof perceived from the outside as a sheet of paper floating over the building. The triangular columns are steel box beams of variable shapes, narrower and more frequent towards the corners of the stadium, and wider and more sparse in the center. This column sequence is what makes individuals perceive the building as if it were curved, imitating the classic shape of the stadium. In addition, the numerous triangular pillars will also make guests see the entire structure as an animal resting on its many feet, ready to move. 

This conceptual approach of impermanence makes the building appear as an object detached from its surroundings, a temporary structure that might leave the historic site at any given moment. 

view from ‘foro italico’ entrance

A high-tech ‘tennis cathedral’

The original building will be hidden in the shadow of the colonnade, masked by a brise soleil skin that will emphasize the function of the tennis stadium thanks to the typical clay court color and the organic shape. Once inside the court, the design changes completely and the rationalist drama of light and shadow is transformed into an exciting high-tech space. The stadium presents itself as a ‘tennis cathedral’ with natural light filtered from above through a complex system of semi-opaque photovoltaic screens, spatial reticular structures, and wire mesh; a technological package that serves as a container for the numerous systems necessary for the proper functioning of a space that can be adapted to different climatic and use conditions.

night view – open roof configuration

bird eye view of the ‘foro italico’ sport complex and river tiber

open roof configuration

closed roof configuration

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plans

diagrams

section drawing showing the external new structure and the old interior stadium

sections of open and closed configuration

project info:

name: The Tennis Temple
architecture firm: 3GATTI

architects: Francesco Gatti, Alessandro Turina
collaborators: Andrea Manzini, Giuseppe Conti
structural consultant: Andrea Imbrenda (Proges Engineering)
mechanical consultant: Massimo Moretti (QProgetti)
client: Italian National Olympic Committee (Coni)
location: Rome, Italy

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edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom