A quote by Frank Gehry says, “ Architecture should speak of its time and space but yearn for timelessness.” History and origin are extensively imprinted on humankind and its cause. Our roots and values lie in our culture, and the heritage structures are reflections of it. It is vital to note the many benefits of historic preservation. There are various economic and environmental benefits apart from aesthetical advantages.
The union of Romanian Architects is located in the Romanian capital of Bucharest. The building holds tremendous cultural and historical importance and attracts many tourists and attention because of its architectural temperament. Situated at the corner of Dumitru Dobrescu and Boteanu streets, the building is eye-catching as one will spot an ingenious amalgamation of the past with the present and future. The number of floors at the bottom appears to be a part of a heritage structure, and the rest of the floors above that soar up like a modern skyscraper are made of steel and glass. The building has a rich and complicated history. Grigore Paucescu built it at the end of the 19th century, and it was an embassy to the Austrian government before World War I was hit.
At the end of the 19th century, during the regime of communism, the building was the headquarters of the 5th directorate of the Communist Securitate, the secret police of the former regime. In the year 1989, during the revolution, around 80,000 people gathered at the square in front of the building to hear the speech of Nicolae Ceausescu. The building was set on fire after multiple riots and gunshots were fired at the building, although it wasn’t demolished due to heritage significance. (Paucescu, n.d.)
By the end of 1989, the functions of the building were divided into two, one for the Romanian Academy’s headquarters and the other for the Union of Romanian Architects. Though severely battered and damaged, there was a need to revive the building and the historic moments it has contributed to the country. To acknowledge this, a design competition was launched in 1991 to invite design solutions and programs that not only revitalise the present condition of the structure but also provide an outlook of the neighbouring building, which eventually became a part of the development. The heterogeneous introduction of the extension with the existing structure was also a way to address the effects of the building’s location on the urban scenario of the area. Thus, the competition encouraged inclusivity in terms of preserving the existing building, redefining the parameters of urban space surrounding the building, and working on the challenges presented by the new site. The program of the competition was, in short, a mixture of architecture and urban intervention solutions. (EUMiesAward, n.d.)
The design discussions revolved around concerns as to how to treat the ruins of the French Renaissance style. How can it be blended with the upcoming proposal and its surroundings? How can the overall appearance of the upcoming proposal be controlled not to overwhelm the existing structure? Can both structures establish an individual identity while existing as one? While these were the key issues to be addressed, some conclusions surfaced. The first one suggested that the existing building would be preserved as a shell, proudly showing hints of bullet fires, gunshots, and flames on it while the proposed structure would be built without touching the shell whatsoever. The second principle suggested linking the proposal’s main components, which were the shell, the proposed building, and the context of the built mass, to harmonise Dobrescu street.
The proposed structure is a rectangular box set up vertically on 8 floors. A 4 floors structure extends parallel to Boteanu street and accommodates exhibition spaces and a parking area. Along with this, another 4-floor volume is created as an office space with an empty ground floor along Dobrescu street. A pedestrian zone facilitates Boteanu and Dobrescu streets to enhance the overall public facility. The construction of the extension started in the year 2001 and lasted up to 2003. The total area of the built-up reached around 2000 m2, with the cost of the project around 700 USD. The building measured 28m in height, with the windows 2m high. The architects involved in this project were Zeno Bogdanescu and Dan Marin. The volume above the existing structure incorporated offices for the union of architects. The old and new volumes showcase individuality in form, material, and details. The rectangular glazed volume visually doesn’t touch the existing structure below and co-exists in a consonance state. (EUMiesAward, n.d.)
The Union of Romanian Architects is an impressionable and bold example of preservation. It has restored the cultural, architectural, and historical traces of the city and its people. The coming together of the commercial, exhibition, and public places has ensured that the setting is respectful towards the heritage building and the contemporary volume that floats above it.
References:
EUMiesAward. (n.d.). EUMiesAward. Retrieved December 31, 2022, from https://www.miesarch.com/work/1680
Paucescu, G. (n.d.). The Union of Romanian Architects – a Unique Design Concept | Bucharest Apartments. Bucharest Apartments For Rent. Retrieved December 31, 2022, from https://bucharestapartment.net/the-union-of-romanian-architects-a-unique-design-concept/