Rome provides prime examples of the material and energy systems that are the basis of my current design research, practice, and teaching. There are two, interrelated aspects of this research that would be central to my work in Rome: next-use and thermally active surfaces. The first of these preoccupations is evident in the recurrent use and durability of Rome’s building stock: a palimpsest of ecological resources and social uses. The second is evident in the canonical thermally active surface, the hypocaustum of the Roman baths and villas. These archaic modalities have directly informed my research on contemporary modes of integrated design and building production. My work will analyze the role of these two techniques fundamental to the evolution, use, and qualities of life of Rome and that will be fundamental to the evolution, use, and qualities of life of material and energy systems in twenty-first century architecture.