© João Luís Carrilho da Graça . Pubblicata il 22 Dicembre 2011.

the international competition with pre-selection held by the s.i.v.u. elusa-séviac provided an opportunity to create a protection system for the villa’s ruins, whose mosaic pavements stand out as the most important element.

© João Luís Carrilho da Graça . Pubblicata il 22 Dicembre 2011.

the gallo-roman villa of séviac, located in montréal-du-gers, in the midi-pyrénées region, was first discovered in the 19th century and was listed as a national heritage site in 1978. the excavations that took place over the last four decades unearthed the ruins of a roman villa, which reached its height during the late roman empire, in the third and fourth centuries ad.

© João Luís Carrilho da Graça . Pubblicata il 22 Dicembre 2011.

concept
our project proposes the creation of a volume, a covering that hangs and melts in the air, over the plateau where the villa is situated. its geometry was determined by the need to protect the more sensitive areas of the site, such as the mosaic pavements. the abstract character of the covering meets the intended purpose – its shape bears no resemblance to the existing structures, drawing a sharp distinction that highlights the roman ruins.

© João Luís Carrilho da Graça . Pubblicata il 22 Dicembre 2011.

space
the covering is positioned 2.5 meters above the pavement and emphasizes a slight depression on the ground caused by the excavations. as a result, the unevenness of the archaeological remains is juxtaposed with the translucent and continuous surface of the covering.

© João Luís Carrilho da Graça . Pubblicata il 22 Dicembre 2011.

structure
the vertical supports are placed in such a way that they do not interfere with the mosaic flooring areas and they sustain a metal truss system with a mean height of 2 meters. the structure is covered by translucent canvas which conveys an ambiance that is both volatile and stable. the reception area introducing the theme – the gallo-roman villa of séviac is a glass pavilion that encloses a building dating back to the late 20th century, which is located before the villa’s entrance and alongside the ancient roman road.

© João Luís Carrilho da Graça . Pubblicata il 22 Dicembre 2011.

© João Luís Carrilho da Graça . Pubblicata il 22 Dicembre 2011.