Conservation and Regeneration Plan of a Former Industrial Complex in Rome

The complex of the former Pantanella pasta factory, in Via dei Cerchi in Rome, is an urban "large object", located between Circus Maximus, Piazza Bocca della Verità and the Velabro, near the Tevere River and the archaeological site of Colosseum and Palatine Hill. Among the most important industrial buildings located at the center of the Italian capital, the former pasta factory is built starting from 1879 and abandoned in 1929, when a new larger and more modern headquarters is built on Via Casilina, near Porta Maggiore. After, the complex is purchased by the municipality and renovated to become in part Museum of Rome, in part warehouse of the Royal Opera House (today the Rome Opera Theater). During the restructuring beneath its foundations is discovered an important sanctuary of the god Mithras, still little studied; and in this period many important architects produce ideas and projects on the building and its surroundings, as Gustavo Giovannoni, Clemente Busiri Vici, Antonio Munoz. Today the former pasta factory Pantanella is the focus of new hypotheses of transformation, leading to examine the role of an architectural complex that represents many of the changes that have occurred in the 20th century in the most central areas of Rome. The paper aims to describe the results of a research project of the University of Trieste, finalized to carry out a feasibility study for the restoration and regeneration of the complex, as well as a first hypothesis of conservation plan, that well be discussed with the Administration and the Archaeological Superintendence, in order to launch a joint project. The research wants achieve the complex best use and value it as built heritage of 20th century within an archaeological classic site of great importance.