A contemporary stage redefines one of Rome’s most iconic monuments
The international architecture firm Alvisi Kirimoto has signed the design for the new exhibition layout of the Basilica of Maxentius, commissioned by the Parco archeologico del Colosseo. The intervention enters the site with full awareness of its historical and cultural significance, integrating a contemporary approach into one of the world’s most extraordinary archaeological contexts.
The challenge? To balance historical memory with today’s functional needs. The result is a well-measured and refined project that enhances the site without altering its essence.
Three key moves to reactivate the monument
Following the restoration of the central nave, the project by Alvisi Kirimoto focuses on three primary interventions:
A new multifunctional stage, the beating heart of the design
The repaving of the entire complex, to unify and renew the area
The installation of two multimedia totems, enhancing visitor interpretation
The centerpiece is the stage—not merely an installation, but a cultural device that reactivates the space, establishing new relationships between the monument, its visitors, and the events hosted within its walls.
A stage as a space for culture
Designed to host performances, screenings, conferences, and events, the stage conceived by Alvisi Kirimoto is much more than a simple installation: it is a cultural device that redefines the space and opens it up to new possibilities.
Built with a steel framework, Keller grating, and a birch plywood finish, the stage features slats that become denser toward the center, visually guiding the visitor’s gaze toward the magnificence of the Basilica. A small masterpiece of balance between aesthetics, function, and context.
Accessible, inclusive, multifunctional
The stage is accessible from all sides: stairs and ramps connect the naves, a front-facing stepped seating area offers a place to sit and an open view of the Horti Farnesiani, and a staircase on the north side leads to the apse for a closer look at the site.
Versatility is also ensured by the proximity to the temporary dressing room area and by the modular design, which allows for easy setup and removal during events without interfering with the daily visitor experience.
The Basilica speaks: totems and paving
The project by Alvisi Kirimoto also includes the revitalization of the square in front of the Basilica, paved with natural compacted earth mixed with lime. Here, two metal informational totems with integrated audio-video systems offer an immersive and accessible narration of the monument.
Respecting history meets contemporary culture
With this project, Alvisi Kirimoto demonstrates how design can enhance without overwhelming, innovate without erasing, and create without forgetting. The Basilica of Maxentius thus comes back to life—not only as a monument but as a living cultural space, accessible, inclusive, and deeply connected to its history.
A model for the future
The intervention by Alvisi Kirimoto offers a contemporary and functional interpretation of one of Italy’s most important archaeological sites, reconnecting it to the urban and cultural fabric of the Imperial Forums. A best practice in cultural design that could inspire the future of heritage enhancement both in Italy and worldwide.
“In realtà, volevamo fare dell’altro” (“Actually, we wanted to do something else”) is the title of the exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of Agape, a company founded on the banks of the Mincio River in 1973.
