Work is now underway on Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano in Rome, among the works destined to remain a symbol of the Jubilee 2025. The redevelopment project, signed by One Works – a global architecture and engineering studio that won the tender procedure managed by the Jubilee 2025 Company – is aimed at redesigning the square, merging the tradition of the time with the principles of contemporary design, in order to give back to the citizens a space that can combine the historical soul of Rome with today’s urban needs.
The project:
One Works will intervene on an area of 18 thousand square metres, in front of the Basilica, with a project whose realisation foresees a total investment of 15 million euro. The intervention will be developed following the key principle of preservation and valorisation of the iconic past of the place, reinforcing its distinctive features, but at the same time introducing elements of innovation on the front of sustainability of materials and energy efficiency and functional safety.
The redevelopment project is inspired by the interior of the basilica, in particular by its historical Roman marble flooring, the Cosmati: the circular motifs of this intricate mosaic come out of the church to animate the large outdoor area as well, creating an effect of strong visual continuity. The square will be paved with traditional Roman stones such as sanpietrino, basaltina and travertine, interspersed with areas of low vegetation to mitigate the heat island effect and promote rainwater management.
The project has a strong focus on sustainability, aligning itself with the objectives of the C40 network that the city of Rome has joined. In addition to strategic choices in terms of design and materials, playful water features will be introduced to offer passers-by recreational pleasure and generate a cooling effect, improving the square’s microclimate during the hot Roman summers. The fountains will be complemented by low-energy lighting designed to enhance the grandeur of the Basilica’s façade.
All these elements will contribute to give back to the Roman citizenship and to an extended community of visitors from all over the world an area that lends itself as much to a daily stop or passage, as to welcome in an iconic setting major events, such as those that will mark the Jubilee 2025.
“Re-imagining Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano was a privilege and an emotion. Open spaces, squares, are the essence of the public dimension of cities, and St. John’s, with its religious and civic load, is one of the greatest examples of inclusiveness and sharing. The references to the design of the Basilica’s pavements on the one hand, and the increase in permeable and green areas on the other, underline the square’s great capacity for civic and religious hospitality,’ said Leonardo Cavalli, Co-founder and Managing Partner of One Works.
Since its institution in 1300, the Jubilee of the Catholic Church has attracted millions of pilgrims from all over the world to Rome: for the 2025 appointment, which will officially begin on 8 December 2024 with the opening of the Holy Door by the Pope, more than 35 million faithful are expected from all over the world. The approach of the Holy Year has always provided an opportunity to renew urban spaces to welcome pilgrims, and the implementation of the works will contribute to making Rome a more sustainable and inclusive city. 189 works have already begun throughout the capital, including structural and extraordinary maintenance works, which will focus on five project areas: redevelopment and enhancement, accessibility and mobility, reception and participation, environment and territory, and Caput Mundi. A very tight schedule of interventions, outlined in the Prime Minister’s Decree of 8 June 2023, for a total investment of 3.4 billion euro, of which 1.3 billion euro of Jubilee funds and 500 million euro related to the ‘Caput Mundi’ Pnrr programme. The construction schedule envisages completion by December 2024.
For further information please visit www.one-works.com.
