Médecins Sans Frontières Rome Headquarters by Roselli Architetti

The new Headquarters of Médecins Sans Frontières in Rome are located in a vibrant and dynamic area with a strong cultural and social identity called San Lorenzo, Italy. This project, designed by Roselli Architetti, focuses on sustainability and the bare necessities, keeping LEED requirements in mind in order to reduce the amount of materials to the minimum, integrating workstations and common areas in a strategic way harmoniously and efficiently.

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Sustainability and Collaboration at The Heart of Design

The design philosophy of the new Headquarters of Médecins Sans Frontières in Rome is based on sustainability and the bare necessities, keeping LEED requirements in mind in order to reduce the amount of materials to the minimum as well as the works to be done and leaving MEP elements visible. Functionality, accessibility and good flow of movement were the concepts that guided the interior design project, interested in fostering well-being, collaboration and natural light through a layout that integrates workstations, common areas and circulation areas in a strategic way harmoniously and efficiently.

Creating an Open and Flexible Office

The new headquarters of Médecins Sans Frontières in Rome are located in a vibrant and dynamic area with a strong cultural and social identity called San Lorenzo. The existing building was a former bank structure next to the main railway station, Roma Termini, and the historic city center. As a result of that, it seemed to be the perfect spot for this institution founded on the principles of accessibility and a widespread network.

This refurbishment completed by Roselli Architetti Associati, focused on opening and transforming completely the nature of a building that used to be characterized by the distinctive closed spaces of a bank headquarters, into an open, flexible and collaboration-oriented space. The design of this office building aims to evolve together with the institution that resides in it throughout time, by creating a modern and comfortable environment.

Key Design Elements: The Stairwell

One of the key design elements of the project is the metal staircase that, with its grace, lightness and conciseness, manages to link the three storeys of the building just like a stiff ribbon. The dynamic stairwell opens the interior space of the building connecting the different work and common areas of the building.

Connecting The Outside with The Ground Floor

The ground floor is the first exchange point with the exterior. The airlock entry leads to a casual foyer next to a lounge area and on the left side of the foyer and on the right an open workspace area. This workspace area is the heart of the ground floor design to encouraging co-operation among the team members, through flexible workstations with optimal acoustic and visual comfort.

Open Layout on The First Floor

The first floor is the level mainly destined to work operations. It is characterized by the main work area with open layout that allows a great amount of natural light into the building, thanks to the ribbon windows on the façade. The continuous strip of glazing generates a feeling of continuity between the exterior and the interior.

This main work area hosts 26 workstations, 10 flexible workstations useful for temporary personnel or activities and casual meeting rooms strategically placed, perfect for short meetings or exchange of ideas among colleagues. There are also other smaller meeting rooms that offer some privacy thanks to acoustic curtains and glass partitions that allow visual permeability.

Facilities on The Basement Floor

The basement on the other hand, has been designed for collective gatherings. There is a multifunctional room ideal for workshops and corporate events, a multimedia room, a lounge room for leisure activities, an archive room and the installation room crucial for the maintenance of the building.

Interior Design Principles

The interior design concept followed design principles that aimed to offer a good flow of movement, flexibility and psychological well-being. Sustainability was also an important concept from the start since it was clear from the beginning that the project aimed to obtain the LEED certification.

From a design point of view the objective was to strengthen the use of natural light and ventilation in order to guarantee a high level of visual and thermic comfort. Ribbon windows contribute to this objective reducing energy consumption. Moreover, the use of certified, renewable and low environmental impact construction materials was decisive.

Energy Efficient Features

MEP design was also an important factor. The building is equipped with an energy efficient air conditioning system as well as consumption pattern monitoring system, in order to reduce CO2 emissions and optimize the performance of the building while caring for the well-being of its users. Once again, the refined mix of creativity, environment friendly objectives, technical and historic awareness lead to a sophisticated human and environment centered refurbishment that might contribute to the well- being of the planet.

Photography by Serena Eller Vainicher/ EllerStudio
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- by Matt Watts

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