CuBo by Labics & Topotek1: A Cultural Hub at the Campus Bio-Medico of Rome

CuBo, the Cultural Box at the Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, is the first project realized within the thirty-year Horti Academici Master Plan. Designed by Labics in collaboration with Topotek1, the building introduces a structured framework that integrates contextual sensitivity, geometric rigor, and human-centered spatial design.

CuBo Technical Information

• Architects^1-16: Labics
• Master Plan: Labics & Topotek1
• Location: Trigoria Neighborhood, Rome, Italy
• Client: Campus Bio-Medico S.p.A.
• Area: 10,500 m² | 113,000 Sq. Ft.
• Project Year: 2020 – 2023
• Photographs: © Aldo Amoretti

Public space, the epitome of any democratic system, is at the heart of the project.

– Labics Architects

CuBo Photographs

Contextual Foundations: The Vision of CuBo within Horti Academici

The CuBo project stems from a larger vision to integrate the Campus Bio-Medico of Rome into the Roman countryside’s cultural and natural landscape. At the heart of the Horti Academici Master Plan, a reinterpretation of the Roman centurion organizes the campus through a 66-meter square matrix. This rigid and flexible grid is disrupted by a green spine inspired by the nearby Decima Malafede Nature Reserve, weaving nature into the geometric framework.

This vision aligns with the One Health holistic approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecosystem health. CuBo epitomizes this philosophy, bridging academia, healthcare, and urban vitality to foster a collaborative environment that extends beyond its walls. Located at the junction of major campus pathways, CuBo becomes both a destination and a node within this meticulously planned campus.

Architectural Narrative: Form and Function

CuBo’s architectural design is a dialogue between tradition and modernity, simplicity and complexity. At first glance, its cubic form, adhering to the 66-meter square matrix, appears straightforward. However, upon closer examination, the interplay of porticos, courtyards, and double-height spaces reveals a layered spatial narrative.

The building adopts a hybrid typology, combining a linear structure with courtyard arrangements. Its central courtyard bifurcates into an internal, more formal courtyard and an external, eccentrically positioned one. This spatial arrangement, enriched by covered passages and generous openings, fosters interaction and connectivity, embodying the principles of public space as democratic space.

Internally, the design prioritizes flexibility. Specialized areas like the auditorium and simulation center coexist with multifunctional classrooms and informal gathering spaces. The spatial hierarchy evolves from traditional classroom-focused layouts to diverse spaces that encourage collaborative learning, informal meetings, and spontaneous interactions.

Materiality and Environmental Synergy

CuBo’s material palette mirrors its design ethos: simplicity and rigor. The building’s structure is defined by exposed reinforced concrete, combining prefabricated and in-situ elements, while dark brick cladding evokes the timeless charm of historic university campuses. Internally, the juxtaposition of materials—light gray terrazzo, warm wood, and acoustic rubber flooring—enhances the sense of openness and functionality.

The relationship with the landscape is central to CuBo’s identity. Large windows strategically frame views of the Roman countryside, blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior. The natural hill at the building’s entrance becomes a deliberate design element, with the double-height portico and glazing integrating it into the spatial experience. The central courtyard, partially mineral and partially green, acts as a gathering space, seamlessly connecting with the surrounding campus.

Porticos play a dual role in CuBo’s design. They serve as architectural devices mediating between public and private, interior and exterior, while also functioning as bioclimatic tools, providing shade and protection from the elements.

Critical Reflections: CuBo as a Public Architecture Paradigm

At its core, CuBo is a study of the architectural philosophy of public space as a democratic space. Nearly half of the building’s area is devoted to relational spaces, highlighting the importance of collective experience in shaping educational environments. These spaces are not merely connective but designed to be destinations in themselves—places where interactions and ideas flourish.

The design balances institutional identity with human scale, ensuring the building resonates with its users. The deliberate openness of CuBo’s layout invites participation, collaboration, and discovery, embodying an architecture model that prioritizes community over isolation.

CuBo Plans

CuBo Image Gallery

About Labics

Notes & Additional Credits

1. Architectural Design: Labics
2. Principles: Maria Claudia Clemente and Francesco Isidori
3. Master Plan: Labics and Topotek1
4. Design Team Members: Tommaso Mennuni (Project Leader), Carolina Bajetti, Arianna Marino, Federico Pitzalis, Maria Iva Sacchetti
5. Engineering & Construction Supervision: Planning Srl
6. Acoustics Consulting: Marco Paolicchio
7. Building Inspection: Studio Cartolano Srl
8. General Contractor: Impresa Percassi S.p.A
9. Gross Floor Area: 10,500 square meters
10. Net Usable Floor Area: 6,500 square meters
11. Levels: Three (1 underground, 2 above ground)
12. Key Spaces:
    • Classrooms: 8 (176 seats each, divisible into two 88-seat classrooms)
    • Auditorium: 330 seats (divisible into two 165-seat rooms)
    • Cafeteria: 208 sqm
    • Study Area: 388 sqm multifunctional space
    • Faculty Offices: 135 sqm with meeting rooms
    • Simulation Center: 450 sqm
    • Chapel: 77 sqm with adjacent meeting room
    • Technical Rooms: 2,200 sqm located in the basement
13. Structure: Exposed reinforced concrete (prefabricated and cast-in-situ)
14. Cladding: Dark-colored solid bricks
15. Flooring: Terrazzo slabs (atrium and circulation spaces), Wooden slats (auditorium, study rooms, cafeteria), Rubber floating floors (classrooms)
16. Windows: Bronzed finish for external glazing