HPO - Rubato

A temporary installation in the outdoor area of the MAXXI museum, designed as a place for meeting, relaxation and leisure that also serves as a backdrop to the summer events program. “Rubato” by HPO is the winning project of the third edition of NXT, the program curated by Pippo Ciorra dedicated to promoting a new generation of architects and enhancing public space.

The project takes its name from a musical term (“tempo rubato) denoting a free interpretation of tempo, characterised by accelerations and decelerations. The pavilion translates this idea into architecture through an imposing, open and convertible structure, composed of recycled materials and diverse elements assembled in a style that is deliberately “construction-site”-inspired. A site-specific soundscape by Agnese Menguzzato helps to define its spatial and relational character.

Founded in Ferrara in 2017, the HPO collective comprises eleven architects. It works in the fields of architecture, temporary installations, exhibitions and performances, adopting a collaborative and experimental approach that intertwines design practice, research and cultural production. The group’s work has been presented in numerous international contexts, including the Akademie der Künste in Berlin, HEAD Genève, Dropcity in Milan and the Italian Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale.

Cover: Rubato by HPO, photo © Giorgio Benni