Redevelopment of a market in Rome,
design: ADAT Studio, ELEMENT
In the heart of Rome, just outside the walls of the Vatican, is the Mercato dell "Unità - one of the Italian capital's most recognizable markets, which is currently undergoing a spectacular transformation. The revitalization of this iconic space not only gives new form to the historic hall, but redefines the very idea of an urban marketplace. What is particularly interesting is that the Polish studio ELEMENT, which specializes in architectural visualizations, was involved in the process of transforming this space. Their participation becomes not only a symbol of international cooperation, but also a testimony that innovation is increasingly speaking Polish.
Visualization of the new interior of the trade fair hall - light, space and moving boxes in the form of "lanterns"
© ELEMENT
new life for roman spaces
Designed by Rome's ADAT Studio, the development by LaSIA Spa is part of a larger plan to modernize Rome's public spaces in preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025. The Mercato dell "Unità is to regain its central role - not just as a trading post, but as a vibrant urban space: open, flexible, adapted to the rhythm of the modern city.
Between commerce and experience - the new face of the market
Mercato dell "Unità is not just a building - it's a story. Opened in 1928, the market has for decades served as a local center for daily shopping and neighborhood gatherings. Located on Via Cola di Rienzo, in the heart of the Prati district, close to the Vatican, it has played an important social and economic role over the years. In the past, there was even an ice rink on the hall's terrace - the space has always pulsated with urban life.
The new project, however, involves more than just renovation. It's a major redefinition of what a marketplace can be today. Mercato dell "Unità is to become a multifunctional space - a hybrid between a traditional market, an urban square, a gallery and an event stage. Flexibility, adaptability and openness are the key words of this concept.
Marketplace of the future - a flexible space that changes according to the time of day and the needs of users
© ELEMENT
"Lanterns" - the moving lights of the new Rome
The most distinctive element of the redevelopment will be the so-called "lanterns" - movable trading booths with a unique design. Each of these forms will be a translucent, illuminated module that can be raised or lowered by telescopic columns. This technical solution gives not only functionality, but also great potential for spatial expression. In the daytime, the "lanterns" will determine the rhythm and structure of the market, supporting orientation in its interior. In the evening - by changing the height and intensity of the light - they will transform into scenographic elements, building the atmosphere during concerts, exhibitions or city events. Such a solution opens the way to a completely new way of thinking about commercial space: not as a closed, single-purpose object, but as a living organism - constantly transformed and created anew by its users.
Mercato dell'Unità will become a new space for meetings, culture and commerce
© ELEMENT
architecture for the people - a space for meeting, not just buying
In addition to innovative retail boxes, the project also includes a series of revitalization and modernization measures. There are plans to expand the food and beverage area - so that you can not only buy food, but also consume it on the spot, in a comfortable, shared space. A covered plaza will be built in the central part of the hall, designed as a place for rest, meetings and cultural events.
There will also be interventions in the architectural structure of the building itself: the facade will be renovated, installations, floors and skylights will be replaced. Thanks to the latter, more natural light will enter the interior, which will further emphasize the qualities of the space and have a positive impact on the comfort of users. The project envisages the creation of a multidimensional space, where different functions intermingle seamlessly, responding to the needs of residents, tourists and city institutions. It's not just a marketplace - it's a potential center of local activity that can operate throughout the day and evening, regardless of the weather and season.
Polish studio ELEMENT co-creates the transformation of Rome's iconic public space
© ELEMENT
ELEMENT - a Polish voice in the European dialogue on the city
The Polish studio ELEMENT, which has specialized in creating photorealistic architectural visualizations for a decade, was involved in the project. Located in the Tri-City area, the office has collaborated, among other projects, on the world's largest wood district in Stockholm or the new UN headquarters in Geneva. Their portfolio includes collaborations with offices such as Henning Larsen and Nord Architects Copenhagen. ELEMENT's visualizations are not just a presentation tool. They are part of the design process to build an idea of how the space will be perceived, how it will function and how it might change over time.
As Jakub Figel, co-founder of the studio, comments:
We really like to take part in innovative projects, and working in foreign markets often gives us such opportunities. This is also the case with Mercato dell'Unità. This redevelopment changes the way we think about retail space. It takes into account new shopping habits and the needs of modern society: residents, tourists and city managers. The possibility of turning the marketplace into an interactive urban gallery will greatly expand the ways in which this facility can function.
A historic structure from 1928 in a modern interpretation
© ELEMENT
space as story - a model to follow
Rome today shows how to bring new quality to historic structures with respect for heritage. The Mercato dell "Unità, thanks to a bold design vision and multidisciplinary collaboration, ceases to be merely a place of commerce - it becomes a platform for urban interaction. This model can inspire other European cities, where similar markets - though often forgotten - have enormous social potential. Investing in their modern forms of operation is not only a conservation measure, but also an urban planning decision of great social importance.
At the intersection of tradition and innovation
The redevelopment of the Mercato dell'Unità is proof that architecture can be the language of a city - a tool for telling its history and at the same time a way to create its future. Thanks to the design of ADAT Studio, the involvement of investor LaSIA Spa and the work of Poland's ELEMENT, the Prati market will gain a second life. A life that will pulsate with light, sound and the daily presence of residents and visitors.
Elaborated: Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of goog feedback.
