Colosseum of Tomorrow: Masterclass with Maria Claudia Clemente

In collaboration with the 2026 Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF) Architecture & Design program (external link) , TMU’s Department of Architectural Science (DAS) is pleased to host the internationally acclaimed architect Maria Claudia Clemente for an in-depth masterclass exploring how contemporary design can engage with historically complex sites through precision, restraint, and cultural responsibility. 

What participants will learn

Open to students, recent graduates, faculty and the extended DAS community, this session will delve into Clemente’s design philosophy, research approach, and work with her Rome-based studio, Labics (external link) .

Participants will gain insight into her methodology and forward-looking vision on the role of architecture in shaping culturally responsive and meaningful urban environments. The Masterclass will address how architecture can act as a process of interpretation, engaging existing structures, histories, and urban narratives rather than imposing new forms.

The lecture will conclude with open discussion, moderated by Lisa Landrum, DAS Chair, and Pina Petricone (external link) , founding co-partner of Giannone Petricone Associates. 

Attendees are also encouraged to explore the full lineup of events at the 2026 ICFF Lavazza IncluCity Festival, running June 25 to July 19, 2026 – including the keynote address by Maria Claudia Clemente at Canadian Stage on July 15, 2026 at 6:30pm. Learn more about the 2026 ICFF Lavazza IncluCity Festival keynote (external link) .

About Maria Claudia Clemente & Labics

Maria Claudia Clemente, co-founder of Labics (external link)  and one of Italy’s leading contemporary architects, explores a design approach that merges theoretical research with built work across scales. Labics’ internationally recognized work exemplifies this approach, notably through winning the international competition for the redevelopment of the Colosseum and Rome's Imperial Fora — one of the most significant contemporary interventions within a UNESCO World Heritage context. Through precise, contemporary interventions, the project reveals the underlying structure of the ancient city, fostering a renewed relationship between people and heritage. Across other major projects such as Città del Sole, MAST, and the Palazzo dei Diamanti extension, Clemente advances a vision of architecture as a mediator between past and present.

Thank you to our Masterclass supporters

The Masterclass is generously supported by the Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF), Great Gulf, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), Giannone Petricone Associates, and Toronto Metropolitan University, Department of Architectural Science (TMU-DAS).