The new BiASA headquarters will be a building located in the heart of Rome, renovated just for this purpose by starchitect Mario Botta
6,500 m2 of books and cultural materials (almost double the current size), 14 km of stacks, and a 350-seat auditorium: all within a historic building in the heart of the city, a stone’s throw from the Quirinal Palace and Trevi Fountain. That’s an overview of the planned renovation of Palazzo San Felice, which the President of the Italian Republic has recently made available to house BiASA in a single, prestigious location.
The architect overseeing this ambitious project is Mario Botta (b. 1943). One of the most esteemed architects in the world, Botta has offered to oversee the renovation of the complex free of charge, as a gift to researchers and the people of Italy. Among many important changes, the project will make it possible to ‘reunite a set of elements that have been separated until now’, as noted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
Architect Mario Botta showing Italian President Sergio Mattarella the plan for the new location of BiASA in Palazzo San Felice
Draft by Mario Botta for the courtyard of Palazzo San Felice
Sketch by Mario Botta for the Auditorium of Palazzo San Felice