StARTT’s Poppy-Filled Exhibition at the MAXXI Museum Will Be Recycled in the Future

Italy's <a href="http://inhabitat.com/interboro-partners-wins-competition-for-this-summers-ps1-momas-courtyard-installation/" target="_blank">MAXXI Museum</a> has a colorful new courtyard filled with red "poppies". Italian firm <a href="http://www.startt.it/en" target="_blank">stARTT</a> (winners of the <a href="http://ps1.org/yap/" target="_blank">MoMA/P.S.1 Young Architects Program</a>) designed the outdoor space, called “Whatami,” to incorporate a series of recyclable faux-nature pieces around the museum's architecture. Grassy knolls, gleaming pools and bright flowers create a serene resting place for visitors after a long day of perusing the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/steven-holls-cite-de-l’ocean-et-du-surf-museum-is-now-complete-in-biarritz/" target="_blank">museum</a>.

StARTT found the stark stone courtyard of the MAXXI museum to be somewhat unwelcoming, so their idea was to <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-piezoelectric-sports-stadium-breaks-ground-in-india/" target="_blank">add the cool comfort of nature</a> to an otherwise green-deprived area. They constructed the artificial hills to act first as a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-candles-create-a-romantic-garden-environment/" target="_blank">garden</a> that requires very little maintenance, yet infuses a breath of nature into the area.

The second function of the hills was to provide a relaxing gathering and sitting place. We all know how surprisingly tiring a day walking around a museum can be, and WHATAMI provides a place to sprawl out and relax. Several wooden <a href="http://inhabitat.com/illuminated-tables-and-planters-made-from-100-recycled-plastics/" target="_blank">benches</a> are built right into the side of the hills, which are much more comfortable than the standard metal variety!

The hills can also be used by the museum to host entertainment, acting as a stage for concerts or special events.

Populating the “garden” are bright red artificial <a href="http://inhabitat.com/seed-sprouting-flower-grenades-explode-in-the-uk/" target="_blank">poppies</a>. Reaching up to the sun, a dozen conical red flowers are situated around the hills. The flower sculptures reflect the sun’s rays, illuminating their deep red color. They also provide shaded areas to the revelers below.

Shallow <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tetris-like-india-glycols-office-complex-is-cooled-by-interior-pools-courtyards-and-green-roofs/" target="_blank">reflecting pools</a>, located in between the hills, gently cool visitors, and accentuate the faux –nature of the installation.

After the courtyard installation has run its course, the elements of WHATAMI will be recycled. The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/these-rolling-green-roofed-country-homes-used-to-be-old-lancashire-water-tanks/" target="_blank">grass</a> will be replanted in another area, and the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/guerrilla-gardening-mini-ecosystem-installations-on-the-streets-of-madrid-take-root/" target="_blank">floral</a> poppy sculptures will be replanted in an abandoned part of the city that needs urban rehabilitation.