EURegeneration - New Ecotower Hotel in Rome, AWR - Architecture Workshop - International Ideas Competition

The proposed refurbishment of the dismissed complex aims to emphasize the monolithic appearance of the existing wings. At the same time it aims to follow EUR’s genius loci, characterized by white stones and green trees. The result is a timeless architecture, able to blend with the metaphysical atmosphere of the whole EUR complex. Building shell and internal partitions and services are conceived using simple, up to date technologies, mostly achieved by standard parts. New white façade cladding is made of GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) panels, with only two recurring elements: vertical and horizontal, in order to retrieve the primitive building method based on trilith. GFRC light panels can form the entire height and depth of the window recesses and ledges in one cast. The panels are made of photocatalytic cement (TX Active, which uses sunlight to break down pollutants into less harmful substances), for smog-eating and self-cleaning effects. The application of 1.000 m² of photocatalytic surfaces (façade GFRC panels) is as effective as planting 80 trees in order to reduce the air pollution. For a total project façade area of about 27.500 m², 2.200 new trees have been virtually planted. Green areas, really planted with trees, have been strongly increased and extended up to about 85 % of the site area. These areas are divided in: - ground level gardens, total amount 10.800 m² (61% of the site area) - green roofs on level 4, total amount 4.200 m² (24% of the site area)