1. Between city and park

The proposal is intended to provide a visual connection between the Corso and the Park. The ground floor on the Park side withdraws into itself, increasing the breadth of the street and inviting the public to enter, while a narrow, covered passage permits quick access to an open inner space. The connection between city and park splits the ground floor and the Museum programme into two parts: the northern part, home to relations and teaching has a separate entrance, while the southern area houses the reception. The main public service areas, such as information points, the coffee shop and the book shop are placed throughout the passage. The reception area has a privileged location between the open space and the cloister, visually and functionally open to both.

2. Towards the Corso

While the park side of the building embraces a space that can be understood as an extension of the museum, the main Corso side features an intersection between the roof and the façade wall, creating a silhouette by which the building’s public and ecclesiastical nature are instantly recognized.

3. Exhibition spaces

The new exhibition spaces below the vaulted roof meet the different requested functions (loft and galleries) both for their height and for their character, without losing their unique atmosphere. The proposed solution allows for a great flexibility of use and the simultaneous presence of various exhibitions. The roof is curved in response to the necessary dimensions of the inner spaces and to the connections with the height of the nearby buildings and the existing museum.

4. Documentation and research

The archives, divided into two floors, are connected from the basement to the top floor, with all documentary and research material through the spacious elevator. Its layout makes it available for visits and allows visitors to be exposed to the funds that are not on permanent display.

5. The closure of the cloister

The reconstruction of the cloister on the fourth side, though not indispensable for the project functioning, seems an almost forced solution. As far as is known, the original columns and the very presence of the three current sides do not leave room for the slightest doubt as to whether the proposed solution is worthwhile. On the first floor, the closure of the cloister also allows a good connection with the new building and a clear improvement to visitor circulation within the museum.