"The American Academy in Rome occupies ten buildings and eleven acres of gardens atop the Janiculum, the highest hill within the walls of Rome. Among the buildings are the McKim, Mead & White building, known as the Academy building, the Villa Aurelia and the Casa Rustica. ... The Academy building was constructed above an aqueduct of Trajan, which can still be accessed through the building's basement. ...

"The Academy building is one of the only structures outside North America designed by McKim, Mead & White. Charles Follen McKim was among the founders of the Academy and was President of the Academy when the building was first conceived. The building, which was constructed in two years, was inspired by Renaissance architecture and has a five-bay facade, a piano nobile or noble floor and an interior courtyard with a Paul Manship fountain in its center. Opened in 1914, it contains most of the living and working quarters for the Rome Prize Fellows, the Library, gallery and administrative offices. In addition, there are public rooms for many of the Academy's events."

— Quoted from the Academy's web site.