Carlo Ratti and Chuck Hoberman unveil origami roof prototype in Italy

Carlo Ratti Associati and kinetic-structure designer Chuck Hoberman have unveiled a scale model of the movable roof planned for AGO, a new 220,000-square-foot cultural complex in Modena, Italy. 

Installed in Piazza Sant’Agostino, the model demonstrates the origami-inspired mechanism that will cover a courtyard within the redevelopment of the former Sant’Agostino Hospital.

Designed by Ratti together with the late architect Italo Rota, AGO will transform the 18th-century hospital complex into a cultural hub containing museums, research spaces, educational facilities, and public areas. The site’s institutions will include Fondazione AGO, the University Museums, Museo della Figurina, the Digital Humanities Research Center, and Future Education Modena. The first phase is scheduled to open on December 11 this year.

A triangular courtyard at the center of the complex will be covered by a kinetic canopy developed with Hob...