Fixing over-reliance using cultural exchange

Foro – means Forum. Taking inspiration from the Roman Forum and The Foro Italico I wanted to create a forum to ground the cultural exchange of African heritage within Italy. This would enhance the image of the African continent as they would now have a Forum that would represent them. Further, the relationship between Italy and South Africa was understood to be solely made for the exploitation of natural resources and therefore caused an over-reliance on this trade for the SA economy. As soon as Covid-19 occurred the SA GDP suffered and therefore contracted.

What my scheme presents is a place where other aspects of trade can be researched and done. This is why, the project contains; A consulate – for visa applications to increase tourism within SA, The embassy – to improve the diplomatic relationship with Italy and explore other trade forms (agriculture and etc). A flexible events space – used for a space for negotiations and cultural performances (also facilitates an archive), and residences for the SA ambassador and a guest to the embassy.

Around the main body buildings of the forum, it would also be centered around the human, making it pedestrian-friendly and having facilities such as a market, a café, a park, and many more. The building themselves are positioned as far away from the wall as possible making the public access go around the forum along the Aurelian wall, thus making it the focus of the project, every path, and every building having a view of it.

The project itself came from the idea of having hierarchies of spaces within the ancient city. Temples being placed on hills and having a religious/governing force from them – the embassy follows the same rule. While the Roman forum was a space that is neutral connecting everything together, the columbariums on the other hand were hidden in the round and it was a place where people came together to mourn, think and be on the same level morally – this is why the events/negotiation space is submerged into the ground.