set architects

Skyframe is a site-specific pop-up installation created for the fourth edition of FAR, the Architecture Festival of Rome.
Situated in the Ostiense district, specifically in Piazza del Gazometro, the location is marked by industrial heritage buildings from the twentieth century.

The concept draws inspiration from the pure volumes and simple geometric forms found in the paintings of the “Novecento” artistic movement.

Standing five metres tall, Skyframe serves as a landmark designed to attract passers-by and transform everyday use of the square into a new, personal experience of public space.

Externally, the structure has a dual character: the base is made from XLam panels, offering a natural, tactile quality, while the upper section is clad in iridescent “Rockpanel Platinum” panels that reflect the colours of the sky and urban surroundings. This causes the installation to change constantly, displaying shifting reflections and hues throughout the day.

The interior space, a 160 x 160 cm square, is constructed solely of XLam and houses a telescope that frames the sky. Entry is marked by four portals, encouraging free and dynamic interaction with the structure. The intimate, enclosed interior invites visitors to look upwards and admire the Roman sky at a particular moment in the day.

Skyframe functions as an interactive urban device that alters the usual patterns of public space use, demonstrating how architecture can create new ways of experiencing the city.

The social media project:
Visitors are encouraged to photograph the Roman sky from within the installation and share their images using the hashtag #skyframerome or by tagging the Instagram page @skyframerome. Each photo becomes part of a larger collective mosaic created from contributions by various users.