Creating a Dynamic Narrative: Intervention Design in the Surrounding Context of Praetorium at Hadrian’s Villa

Hadrian’s Villa, a significant Roman archaeological site in Tivoli, Italy, showcases remarkable architectural forms and techniques. Preserving this site is crucial for its historical value and the insights it provides for future generations. This research focuses on the Praetorium and its surroundings as a case study. Despite its uniqueness, the Praetorium has suffered significant damage, rendering it inaccessible. The research aims to assess and interpret the Praetorium, proposing a design project for its enhancement. The project plans to bridge the gap between visitors and the Praetorium's history. The analysis focuses on the Praetorium, its upper garden, visitor paths, and nodes. It involves reinforcing or creating nodes to connect the building and its surroundings. The challenge is the lack of spatial clarity due to parts of the building's destruction. To address this, selected areas will be reconstructed to enhance readability. The ground floor will become a museum showcasing archaeological findings. The design emphasizes creating a unique visitor path to establish connections between visitors, the site, and nature. The path consists of nine stages to offer a personal experience and foster various interpretations. In conclusion, this research highlights the importance of thoughtful interventions to create a reimagined narrative for the Praetorium and its surroundings, influencing both the building and its environment. However, defining appropriate interventions and understanding their boundaries poses challenges. Yet, these interventions play a crucial role in shaping the historical site's evolving narrative.