When the Aurelian Walls that defined the city of Rome were built their original purpose was to protect and fortify the city however, as the city has evolved and expanded over the years the walls have hindered the interaction of activity that exists on both sides of the walls. The part of the walls from Porta Portese to Vialle dei Trastevere, unlike many other areas, is completely intact, allowing minimal interaction between the city center and the thriving area beyond the wall. Through the use of existing axes,the geometry of the wall, repeated forms, and connecting to points of interest(such as Moretti's Gil, Santa Cecilia, and the memorial to the Virgin Mary along Vialle dei Trastevere), a new level of porosity is introduced into the site. These points of interest are captured through small cuts in the wall. The size of these cuts are based on the exisiting proportions of the wall as well as human scale. To further engage the site, an abandoned airplane hanger is reactivated and absorbs the displaced program that currently exists on the site such as the activity center for the elderly and the market place that occurs every Sunday morning.
