The main objective of RhOME for denCity is the densification of urban settlements; working on vacant city lots, of either the city centre or the suburbs and at the same time improving the sustainable mobility in the metropolitan area of Rome.

The project strategy can be described through 6 “R”:

to Re-densify the urban pattern.

Due to a modification in contemporary society, the request of dwellings has changed. More and more often low cost houses are on demand. They should be small in dimensions for short term stays specifically for temporary workers, immigrants and young couples. Therefore the increase of density goes along with an increase in the number of flats on the same lot. Densifying a certain urban area has several advantages from a sustainable urban point of view; the possibility of improving the public transportation and promoting a sustainable mobility. High standards of density encourage centralizing the main daily activities (leisure, work and routine) in order to decrease the use of private transportation (car).

Thus pedestrian areas and cycling tracks are promoted. In addition, this strategy limits permeable soil consumption and guarantees natural water filtering.

to Re-qualify

the neighbourhood through principles of sustainability. Our purpose is to promote sustainability in the neighbourhood areas in relation to energy standards and public space. New settlement should enphasize public space and guarantee an appropriate balance between built and open space.

to Relate

the city is a place where people meet and improve their relationship. The neighbourhood has to reinforce the feeling of identity and shared community. But at the same time the suburban districts have to maintain a strong bond with the city and its historical context. Therefore to improve the interpersonal ties, it is necessary to prioritize the importance of pedestrian areas and public space where the community can meet.

to Reduce energy consumption

the hot and mild climate of Italy implies that protection against heat prevails. The basic strategy related to heat prevention involves solar irradiation control, thermal inertia and its dissipation taking advantage of the temperature shift between day and night. The combined needs of cooling and heating involve a flexible layout and a logical management in order to adapt the building to different situations. In summer at day time buildings must be isolated from the inside while at night time they should be open to allow ventilation.

to Re-naturalise

the presence of green areas is essential from a bioclimatic point of view. For this reason RhOME for DenCity focuses its attention on the communion between inhabitants and nature.  It is necessary to reinforce such connection particularly in the Roman suburbs

to Re-energize

Our team suggests a hybrid building that combines thermal inertia with active systems (based on the required European and Italian performance standards) for the production of solar energy, deriving from active technologies. The use of renewable sources should be used to satisfy the household needs (climate control, hot water, and electricity for other purposes). The energy, produced by each single unity could satisfy the necessities of the whole urban area. For example it could be used for electrical vehicles.