The Roof

location: Romania, Valcea

The aim of this project is to make a connection between the Romanian traditional architecture and the contemporary architecture,
which will assign an appropriate area for the public personality of an architect and the new urban cultural center. The discovery
of the ruins had motivated the appearance of an "archaeological site" represented by the volume of the new headquarter of OAR Valcea.
Its role is to protect this site and mark it in the same time. For this reason we decided to make a roof that by shape and material
takes the reference of traditional Romanian architecture. In these new spaces you can find exhibition spaces. Upstairs there is the
Order of Architects headquarters in Valcea having a direct, visual connection, with the ruins through skylights that bring light and
give a special atmosphere. This volume offers a quick connection between the urban park and the cultural center through a lower plaza
belonging to the park.The volume is a discrete insertion that floats above the ruins sustained by a slim metal structure. The
connection between old and new, traditional and modern is made through a zenithal light that is crossing the building and touches the
walls of the ruins. This becomes a structural light that introduces the memory of the atmosphere once present in this place. Overall
it is a new object, an attraction of the park that fits perfectly into the landscape, but also has an outstanding architectural quality.



design: 2010

type: competition

project status: unbuilt

with: arh. Dan Felix Paraschiv

images: bozin szekely architects