La Casa dei Bolidi

Computer rendered view of the building exteriors.

Project Details

• Project Name: La Casa dei Bolidi
• Location: Enzo Ferrari Residence, Modena, Italy
• Client: Fondazione Casa Natale Di Enzo Ferrari - Museo Maserati
• Project Type: Design competition by invitation
• Architect: Iosa Ghini Associati srl
• Principal Designer: Massimo Iosa Ghini
• Design Team: Marco Colonnelli, Valentina Misgur, Giorgia Monti
• Date of commencement of project: 2004
• Total Site Area: 6,000 m²
• Built-up Area: 40,000 m²

Four ribbon-like sections extend at different levels around the museum and existing structures.

The Building

The museum was conceived as part of an international competition to redevelop the area around the Enzo Ferrari residence in Modena, Italy.

Envisaged as a tribute to the glorious history of the Maserati sports car, the museum dubbed 'La Casa dei Bolidi' (The House of Race Cars) evokes the dynamism and power of motor racing through its design.

Cross Section of the museum within its historic context.

The design evolves from sensitivity to both -- the contextual value of the site as well as the primary function it houses.

The museum hence whilst being iconic, also responds to and wraps itself around the Ferrari residence only to add to it.

The exhibition space is not treated as static containers to hold cars, artifacts and objects, but as an interface that communicates the history documented to the visitor.

The interior has been carved around the Enzo Ferrari residence.

This interface is generated by a series of 'ribbons' that playfully fold on themselves to carve out light, transparent volumes, which visually and spatially flow into and interact with each other as well as the Ferrari residence.

Credits

• Text: Courtesy, the architect
• Images by Gianluca Ghini, courtesy of Iosa Ghini Associati srl
• Compiled and edited by Varun M. Ajani