Museo dell'Ara Pacis - Exterior
The Wall - along the Lungotevere in Augusta
The travertine-faced wall along the Lungotevere in Augusta has been the single most critisized feature of the Meier design. It was intended to separate people in the fountain and stairs areas from the intense traffic of one of Rome's busy traffic arteries. This has been accomplished with notable success, transforming a previously leftover parking space into a much enjoyed areas for relaxation and conversation. However, the wall presents a forbidding barrier to those driving along the avenue and, more importantly, for pedestrians walking along the adjoining sidewalk. The architect, Richard Meier, has agreed that if the Lungotevere in Augusta beside the museum is lowered into an underpass, as the city now plans, it would be wise to eliminate portions of this wall and to connect the museum area with a green terrace along the Tiber River.
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 The wall separating the Lungotevere in Augusta avenue and sidewalk from the stairs and fountain in front of the Ara Pacis Museum. photo Oct. 2008 |
 Characteristic traffic at stoplight, ready to roar. photo Oct. 2008
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 Characteristic traffic on Lungotevere in Augusta beside museum. photo Oct. 2008
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 Showing depth of wall in stairs and fountain areas. photo May 2008 |
 Enjoying the fountain inside walled area. photo Oct. 2008
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 Enjoying the fountain, wall along back. photo Oct. 2008
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 Partially blocked view of churches of San Rocco Augusteo and San Girolamo degli Schiavoni. photo Oct. 2008
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 All connection with and views of areas on other side of wall blocked to pedestrians on lower portion of sidewalk, beside fountain. photo May 2010 |
 End of wall separating people and areas on its west and east sides. photo Oct. 2008
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