Wiederherstellung der Akropolis von Byrsa und Sanierung des Nationalmuseums von Karthago in Tunis (TN)

The intervention is the expression of a relaxed and natural way of experiencing the site. The landscape approach does not only organize the main access from the UNESCO square controlling its scale, but establishes also a strong relationship between the exterior and the interior experience. The new building extends the idea of landscape by composing a new roof characterized by its structural system. this structure can be a very superficial foundation systems which will be harmless to the nature of the protected soil, gives also more importance and relevance in terms of scale to the protected structures of the Cathedral and the seminary. Architecture as landscape is a concept that has the capacity of providing a unique and memorable space complementing the existing.

The project relates the exhibition spaces directly with the exterior, suggesting a strategy of maximum flexibility that can evolve in time. By not committing with a fix concept the project generates a space that will help curators to adapt the museum to future needs.

The project reuses the existing buildings in a very convincing way; the former cathedral hosts as its main use, the auditorium. The former seminary, hosts the service spaces and the areas of daily activity, that correspond to the original typology of the building. The new building, situated in between the pre-existing mainly organizes the entrance and the exhibition spaces; enabling direct contact with the exterior. The way the project solves this space allows flexibility and adaptability to different strategies that can be modified according to the way the museum and its needs evolve. The proposed museum concept is future-oriented and particularly appropriate to expose archeological findings. Structure and light are the elements that define the main spaces of the project. They give a strong atmosphere and a strong identity to the building and an appropriate typology for an archeological museum.

This outstanding proposal focuses on what is essential and uses repetition as the fundamental strategy to generate a space that can be perceived in many different manners; complex and simple, sophisticated and essential; all at the same time.

The project is a good proposal in regard to economy and feasibility. The proposed construction enables a controlled impact on the site during its construction. The project solves the challenge of extending the existing with a subtle roof; an element able to establish a dialogue with the cathedral and the seminary, but also strengthen the identity of the place. The project has the capacity of becoming an expressive but discrete landmark, appearing as a timeless architecture able to establish a link between the sites and the times past present and future.