As its name suggests, the Piscina Mirabilis is, in itself, marvelous. The subtle grandeur of the imposing underground arches makes us question how something so beautiful is currently lifeless. The answer lies in its utility. It is no longer used as a reservoir. Although a major intervention is not necessary to bring it back to life, it needs a new purpose. Based on this principle and the belief that architecture is not just the construction of elements, but also of spaces, the project aims for a minimalist intervention that allows the ruin to remain as it is, simply adding new functionality to its structure.

The project is articulated in a programmatic duality, reimagining the museum experience to enhance use and affect how people experience it. The external face of the ruin houses spaces for congregation and public facilities, accessible regardless of museum opening hours, fostering a continuous connection between the community and heritage. The core of the structure is dedicated to silent contemplation and respect, where art dialogues with historical pre-existence, waiting for each exhibition to complete its narrative.

Social exchange is fundamental to the project, as it is through individual memory that collective remembrance occurs, contributing to the preservation of the ruin. The museum gains flexibility and multifunctionality, becoming a reference for the exercise of citizenship, a place of art and history, as well as a space for lectures, workshops, cultural events, sale of local products, and other spontaneous uses. The museum returns the same amount of public space it borrows, both exhibiting culture and serving as a stage where it is created. Art and architecture become one, and you are not just looking at the art, you are completely immersed in it, just as, in the reservoir, the columns were once immersed in water.