The Water Mirror | Hannes Peer Architecture

Soprintedenza Speciale di Roma: D.ssa Daniela Porro 

Direttore Terme di Caracalla e RUP: D.ssa Mirella Serlorenzi

Progettista: Hannes Peer Architecture

A Historical Prelude

The Baths of Caracalla, or Thermae Antoninianae, stand as a paradigm of the grandeur and sophistication of ancient Rome. Built between 212 and 216 AD under the direction of Emperor Caracalla, they were one of the largest and most imposing Roman bath complexes. Operating for over three centuries, these public baths were characterized by enormous buildings with high frescoed vaults covering monumental rooms. This vast structure, spanning eleven hectares, housed bath facilities capable of accommodating over 1,600 people simultaneously. Overall, the baths could welcome between 6,000 and 8,000 visitors daily. It's important to note that the complex served as a vital center for social, cultural, and intellectual activities. Visitors enjoyed services that went far beyond hygienic needs, including libraries, gyms, gardens, and theaters, transforming the baths into a vibrant epicenter of public life. The architectural layout of the Baths of Caracalla followed the classical design of grand imperial baths, with a central block organized along a single axis. This block included the calidarium (hot bath), tepidarium (warm bath), frigidarium (cold bath), and natatio, a vast outdoor pool. These spaces were designed to facilitate a sequential experience, from hot to cold, promoting both physical well-being and social interaction. Symmetrically arranged gyms and changing rooms flanked this central axis, reinforcing the balance and harmony intrinsic to Roman architectural principles. The underground section of the baths was a marvel of engineering and logistics. A labyrinth of tunnels and large accessible galleries extended for about two kilometers, housing the complex's sophisticated technological systems. This underground network included wood stores, a mill, heating systems, furnaces, boilers, and an intricate water system. Skylights provided ventilation and prevented the stored wood from rotting, highlighting the ingenuity of Roman engineering. This subterranean world was essential for the baths' operation, ensuring a continuous supply of water and heat, central elements for the daily use of the baths.

The Water Mirror

The Water Mirror at the Baths of Caracalla represents a modern reinterpretation of the site's historical essence, intimately tied to the element of water. Conceived as a contemporary and permanent architectural installation, the Water Mirror recalls the grandeur and geometry of the ancient natatio, bringing new vitality to the space. This installation was introduced to revitalize the ancient atmosphere and reconnect the baths with their original function. The large rectangular basin is strategically positioned centrally on the ancient water axis and reflects the majestic ruins, particularly the "towers" of the calidarium walls that once supported the second largest dome of ancient Rome, surpassed only by the Pantheon dome erected by Agrippa.

"Water can be an essential element in architecture. It is always new, as new and different as the sky, surprising and unpredictable. Water lightens the surface, giving it the freedom that transforms architecture into painting, variety, and poetry, extending beyond the line of the earth and embracing both earth and sky." - Carlo Scarpa

The Water Mirror project embodies Scarpa’s philosophy perfectly. Through the water, the reflection of the ancient blends with the contemporary, creating a harmonious dialogue between past and present. Its formal simplicity frames and enhances the grandeur of the historic ruins. Light and water collaborate in a continuous play of shadows and reflections, constantly transforming the perception of architecture and the surrounding space. This dynamism creates an ever-new and changing vision of the site, fascinating and inviting reflection. Water, as a central element, becomes the medium through which architecture dialogues with the surrounding environment. Its flow and reflection give the place a vitality and poetry that make it unique. The surface of the water, a perpetually changing mirror, reflects the sky and the ruins, creating a visual link between the present and antiquity. The Water Mirror is not merely a decorative component but a protagonist that animates the space, making it vibrant and continually evolving. This project demonstrates how contemporary architecture can engage with historical heritage, creating new narratives and connections between past and present. The seemingly simple form of the Water Mirror enhances the visual impact of the ancient architecture, recalling the original shape of the natatio. This element, conceptually translated two hundred meters from its original position, also serves as a stage for cultural and performative activities. At the heart of the historic Baths of Caracalla, the Water Mirror offers visitors an immersive experience on a surface of over a thousand square meters, highlighting the intrinsic qualities of water and respecting the scale and grandeur of the thermal complex. "Water, a friend of light and sounds, carrier of its own laws, delights us with its physical presence in some cases, and in others, even in its absence, it generates forms. Water links the pieces as a sound element, blending into the dialogue of singularities. Exactly like a musical intonation, water works like a spatial envelope." - Carlo Scarpa

The design of the Water Mirror is deliberately simple, rigorous, and essential, favoring clean lines and minimalist forms that do not distract from the historical context. This sobriety allows the ancient architecture to maintain its role as the protagonist, while the water acts as a medium that enhances and transforms the visitor's perception of the space. Light, reflecting off the ruins of Caracalla and the surface of the Water Mirror, constantly changes. The wind, rippling or leaving the water still, creates relief and a continuously evolving range of colors, like a Pollock painting that repaints itself at every moment. Architecturally integrated with the ancient monument, the Mirror embodies the philosophical concepts of presence and absence, echoing the ideas of Martin Heidegger. It invites contemplation while configuring itself as a dynamic frame for cultural initiatives, marking the first step of a new phase dedicated to the preservation of archaeological heritage, projected into the future.

Materiality and Architecture

The Water Mirror measures an impressive 42 by 32 meters, covering almost 1,400 square meters. This extensive surface serves multiple purposes, from reflecting the monumental architecture of the baths to providing a platform for various cultural activities. The basin's surface, coated with black material and covered by a thin layer of water just 10 centimeters deep, creates the illusion of greater depth, starkly contrasting with the surrounding ruins and producing a dramatic, almost cinematic visual effect. This reflective surface captures the imposing structures of the baths, offering a unique sensory experience that blurs the line between reality and reflected image. The choice of black as the primary color creates a sharp contrast with the surrounding ruins, drawing attention to the interaction between antiquity and modern architectural gesture, between presence and absence.

Beneath the Water Mirror's surface, 20 submerged water jets and strategically placed spotlights create dynamic water and light displays. These jets can be programmed to produce various effects, from gentle ripples to dramatic fountains, adding a captivating sensory element to the installation. The spotlights enhance the visual impact, creating a hypnotic play of light and movement. Warm LED lighting adorns the perimeter and central stage, diffusing a gentle glow that highlights the architectural details of the baths. This lighting creates a welcoming atmosphere for evening events, encouraging visitors to linger and enjoy the setting until late into the night. Beyond its aesthetic and functional aspects, the Water Mirror is designed to evoke the historical atmosphere of the Baths of Caracalla. A water misting system at the center of the basin recreates the environment of the ancient steam rooms, adding a tactile dimension to the sensory experience. This misting effect, combined with the reflective surface and dynamic water features, transports visitors back in time, allowing them to experience the baths as they might have been in antiquity. An integral element of the Water Mirror design is the central stage, positioned behind the water surface. This strategic placement ensures that every performance is reflected in the Water Mirror, blending live action with the ancient ruins of Caracalla. The stage itself is made of black quartzite, chosen for its durability and aesthetic compatibility with the Water Mirror's black coating. Its slightly lighter hue creates an additional perspective effect, gradually transitioning from one shade of black to another.

The choice of materials and the minimalist design of the central stage ensure that it does not distract from the site's historical significance but rather harmoniously complements the geometry of the Water Mirror. This versatile platform allows for cultural activities and performances, which are visually immersed in the water. The reflections of actors, singers, and performers in the water create a unique visual experience, where modern and classical performances blend with the reflected image of the ancient architecture. This harmonious integration of past and present enriches the sensory experience, fostering a deeper understanding of ancient architecture for spectators and visitors. Transforming them into active participants, the space becomes a place where history and contemporary culture coexist in perfect synergy. The black quartzite material of the stage, like the black coating of the Water Mirror, frames and highlights the ancient structures, creating a cohesive visual narrative. The minimalist design of the stage ensures that it remains a delicate yet powerful element within the overall composition, enhancing the grandeur of the Baths of Caracalla while providing a functional space and context for artistic expression.

Similarly to ancient times, the mechanical systems for the Water Mirror are located in a subterranean space. Directly beneath the Water Mirror stage is a room originally built by Emperor Constantine, known as the 'Constantinian Hall.' This room is now completely empty, devoid of decorations or historically significant elements, and is now partially occupied by technical equipment such as pumps, water filters, valves, and skimmers. To avoid further occupying the 'Constantinian Hall,' the technical team devised an ingenious solution: a compensation basin positioned around the Water Mirror perimeter that effectively manages water overflow and ensures continuous water circulation and filtration.

The Water Mirror, with its overflowing characteristic, creates an extraordinary visual and acoustic effect. The water, gently flowing over the basin's edges, emits a continuous and relaxing sound that accompanies the visitor on a sensory journey. The water surface reflects and harmoniously blends the colors of the sky, ancient ruins, and the water itself, generating the illusion of an immaterial and infinite plane. In this perpetual dialogue between present and past, the Water Mirror becomes a mediator between history and contemporary perception, inviting visitors to an immersive experience where the ancient and modern meet in continuous visual and acoustic resonance.

Water at the Baths of Caracalla

The introduction of the Water Mirror represents the first step of an ambitious masterplan, a transformation project aimed at restoring the architectural perception of the Baths of Caracalla as they appeared in antiquity, avoiding the trap of historical falsehood or simulacrum. This plan aims to reintroduce the element of water, absent from the site for over a millennium, in a manner that is respectful of history yet profoundly innovative. The Water Mirror does not merely restore the architecture of the ancient natatio but seeks to reactivate the original function of the baths. Through this project and the element of water, it aims to offer visitors a unique opportunity to intuitively understand the thermal complex's operation and interact with the site in a new and meaningful way. Through this intervention, the masterplan seeks to enhance the experiential dimension of the place, transforming the Baths of Caracalla into a vibrant center of cultural and social activities. Moreover, water becomes a means of creating a dialogue between the past and the present, reflecting and amplifying the majesty of the ancient structures. The project, therefore, not only respects and preserves historical heritage but also renews and enriches it, offering visitors an integrated and dynamic vision of the site. In this way, the Baths of Caracalla are returned to the community as a living and current public space, where historical memory and contemporary life meet and harmoniously blend. The masterplan for the Baths of Caracalla stands out for a series of interventions aimed at improving accessibility, usability, and the overall visitor experience. The project is based on a deep understanding of the site's history and urbanism. One of the key elements is the reopening of the ancient main entrances, allowing visitors to access the complex exactly as the bath-goers did in ancient Rome. This gesture represents not only an act of historical preservation but also a reconstruction of collective memory and urban identity. The reopening of the historical entrances facilitates an authentic reading of the site, allowing visitors to relive the experience of ancient Romans and better understand the spatial arrangement and original functionality of the baths. Additionally, the project includes landscape and infrastructural interventions that improve the complex's usability, making it more accessible and welcoming to the contemporary public. The restoration of historical paths is accompanied by the spatial reconfiguration and modernization of the complex, uniting past and present in a spatial continuum that allows visitors to easily navigate the complex, appreciate its architectural grandeur, and live its history. This dialogue between different eras is reflected in the urban intervention that aims to reintegrate the Baths of Caracalla into the contemporary urban fabric of Rome. Here, it is important to mention the creation of a public park that accommodates the new entrance structure, including a bookshop and café. This green space, regenerated and returned to the community, not only improves access to the site but also strengthens its connection to the city. The transformation of an uncultivated and unused area into a public park reflects the principle of creating urban spaces that respond to the social and cultural needs of the city. The theme of reconnection with the city is central to this masterplan. The Baths of Caracalla are not only a historical monument but a living place, an integral part of the Roman urban fabric. Through interventions that respect and enhance history, the project aims to integrate the site with the city's daily life, creating public spaces that invite enjoyment and participation. This approach reflects the belief that architecture must be in constant dialogue with the city, responding to its needs and valuing its historical and cultural resources. The redevelopment of the Baths of Caracalla through the creation of a public park and the integration of new functional structures represents an architectural gesture that aims to strengthen the bond between the city and its monuments, between the past and the present, between the built and the natural.

Another significant aspect of the masterplan is the restoration of the peristyle perimeter, a key architectural element that once framed the central block of the baths but is no longer visible or perceivable. This architectural and philological reconstruction will not only improve the site's historical and visual coherence but also provide a shaded path for visitors, reminiscent of the colonnades that were an integral part of the baths' design. The reintroduction of greenery is another central component of the plan, featuring a botanical path that tells the history of Roman horticulture through a series of programmatic green rooms. This path will extend into the currently underutilized northern part of the complex, transforming it into a vibrant and educational space. By combining historical and natural elements, the project aims to create an environment that not only celebrates the past but makes it accessible and relevant to contemporary visitors, offering them an immersive and educational experience. In conclusion, the masterplan for the Baths of Caracalla is not just a restoration and redevelopment project but an urban vision that celebrates Rome's history, integrating it into the contemporary urban fabric and returning valuable social and cultural public spaces to the community. It aims to culturally restore the Baths of Caracalla to their ancient splendor, making them once again a vibrant center of quality events. By reintroducing the element of water and implementing targeted architectural and cultural interventions, the project aims to attract visitors from around the world and ensure the preservation of this historical and cultural heritage for future generations. Aldo Rossi believed that "the city is the memory of man, and as such, it lives and transforms." This masterplan, with its strong emphasis on integrating the ancient baths into the contemporary urban fabric, fully embodies this vision. The reopening of ancient entrances, the inclusion of new contextualized architectural elements, the reconfiguration of historical paths, and the creation of a public park are all interventions aimed not only at improving the site's accessibility and usability but also at strengthening the bond between the city and its monuments.

Conclusion
This project represents a bold attempt to connect past and future, revitalizing the essence of the Baths of Caracalla, one of Rome's most iconic monuments. By reintroducing water, the central element of the baths, the project breathes new life into the site, transforming it into a dynamic cultural venue. This intervention marks the beginning of an ambitious revitalization effort that aims to present the baths as they were in antiquity in the most intuitive way possible, adapting them to the needs and expectations of the contemporary public. By reactivating the memory of the baths' original function and providing a platform for cultural engagement, it ensures that the grandeur of the Baths of Caracalla continues to inspire and capture the imagination of visitors from around the world.

Hannes Peer, Milan 24 06 2024

Photography: Giulio Ghirardi
www.giulioghirardi.com
IG https://www.instagram.com/giulioghirardistudio/?hl=it

Project manager
Bornello Workshop
https://www.bornelloworkshop.eu/