10 Variations of an Architectural Design Theme Analogy between Compositional Principle and Musical Theme in the Design of the “Napoleon and the Myth of Rome” Exhibition Project

Abstract

The essay “10 variations of an architectural design theme” use comparative analysis to analogize the morphological development of an architectural compositional principle with the variations of a musical theme. The case study is the design of the temporary exhibition “Napoleon and the myth of Rome” in the archaeological complex of Trajan’s Markets - Museum of the Imperial Fora. This temporary exhibition, with more than 100 works – including sculptures, paintings, prints, medals, gems, etc. - some from the same period as those in the permanent exhibition, has to dialogue with the archaeological complex and the permanent collection from its own identity. The team of architects who designed the installation of the temporary exhibition chose to start from a clear compositional principle that throughout the exhibition path loses, gains, sublimates, or simplifies elements as it adapts to the specifics of the space, program, lighting, and permanent collection pieces location, in order to discern the temporary exhibition from the permanent collection. Through this case study, we can see how each of the variations, in architecture as in music, reinforces and helps to achieve higher comprehensibility of the main theme.