Creative and Cultural Center

UNIVERSITY OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM "ION MINCU" - BUCHAREST FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE
University Year 2018 - 2019

Semester 2, Year of Study VI
Student: Bădulescu Valentina-Ancuta
Architect coordinator: Chief of Works, PhD., Arch. Remus HÂRŞAN, Structures: Lect. Phd. Vlad PETRESCU
CREATIVE AND CULTURAL CENTER:
FINE ARTS AND MUSIC
Short description
Culture, over time, has been a niche for people, a necessity, being a vigour of the city in
which the community has formed. It has been seen as an axis along which the city, society,
urbanism and architecture have developed and enjoyed a continuous process of searching new
languages of expression. The new twenty-first century changes both at the city level and at the
level of society and has placed the cultural and creative industries on a new level where, along
with education, they become the engine of the city.
Why Reghin? Context
The present study aims to evaluate some methods that increase the attractiveness of a small
city through cultural projections, this subject being in the attention of specialists in the last decades.
This topic has become a concern for me because I am part of the may who practivce this type of
creative activities since the middle school. I chose a site in the town Reghin, representing my
hometown, because this gave me the opportunity to start the study on a positive perspective, based
on my own experience of the city and space, and on the other hand I could see from an objective
perspective, the cultural character of the city, its potential, its qualities and its shortcomings.
The analysis started by studying the objectives in the documentation regarding the
development strategy of the city, and one of these objectives being the improvement of the quality
for education both at the level of the activities and at the formal architectural level, so the diploma
project has the background of real needs at the level of the community from Reghin.
The assumption behind the foundation of the diploma project is the cultural profile of the
town of Reghin, from Mures County, which was formed mainly during the last century. Reghin,
the Transylvanian city located along the Mureş River, is the support of cultural actions of
community involvement and initiatives both at architectural and urban level, promoting some
directions of sustainable development of the city starting from a cultural and creative tradition,
rooted in the community. The presence of cultural activities within the city is also due to the second
name the city has, the City of the Violins, due to the fact that the city is practicing the craft of
musical instruments by producing a wide range of musical instruments with arcs. Along with this
craft, the city has been working for more than half a century with an artistic school that includes
activities in the field of visual arts and music, but the building is not appropriate for this type of
activity, as it is an old residential building. The emergence of the school cameas a response from
the local government for the expressed desire of the inhabitants to have a place for cultural
expression, a space where they can develop their artistic skills, but the location of this school was
an arbitrary decision at that time. This arbitrary decision, however, has become a problem for the
community and local authorities because the property is to be returned to the private owners. The
presence of a school of arts in the city has captured the attention of young people since its
establishment, alongside a series of cultural events that take place annually.
Currently, the city faces a variety of difficulties in terms of sustainable development,

population decline, population migration to the larger urban area, but it also has a number of
qualities, which can bring a positive and dynamic image. Within the city, there are a number of
cultural and creative activities, but which, due to the lack appropriate spaces, are not properly
valued.
Location and multicriteria analysis
The site chosen for the study of the project is located in a city of average size in terms of
population and surface area, named the Reghin belonging to Mures County, located in the central
area of Transylvania. From a geographic point of view, the city is located in a hillside area,
predominantly are the hills and punctual mountainous relief. Also the region of which the city is
part is crossed by waters and rivers, one of them, the one after the county is named, the river Mures,
is crossing the city from the north to the south bringing more value to the city and increasing its
attractiveness.
The urban tissue of the area in which the site is located is one that has developed organically
over time, capturing both the historical area to the west and the area later developed with a more
regular texture to the east. Constructions keep a rule with a street alignment encountered in
historical tissue, but one can see a withdrawal from alignment in the case of constructions that
change their function, having a public one, in this case the presence of some schools: Gymnasium
and the Technological Highschool "Petru Maior" and the educational ensemble of the Kindergarten
No.4. The predominant height regime is G or G + 2 and the presence of some G + 4 buildings can
be observed. From the functional point of view, the area is made up of individual dwellings with
a commercial ground floor, including the largest green area of the city, the recreation and sports
area together with the swimming pool and the stadium, tennis courts and volleyball, located inside
the Youth Park. The land is bordered on two sides by motorways, and on the other sides by other
individual housing plots and the river Canalul Morii.
Speaking from an urban perspective, the chosen site is located in the area of L.i.u.a
(individual urbanized urban dwellings with alignment) according to the General Urban Plan
developed by the city. It is located in a dwelling area which allows the change of function if the
new proposed function is of public interest such as education, education, culture or health by
elaborating a Detail Urban Plan, through which other urbanistic parameters can be established.
In order to change the function, the new POT and CUT will take into account the General
Urbanistic Regulations and the specific rules for the chosen architectural program, with the
maximum POT will be 60% and the maximum CUT will be 1.8.The surface of the site is
approximately 4300 sqm, with an opening at Sarii Street about 61 meters.
The site under discussion is also at the administrative boundary of the protected area of the
city, but by its architectural and formal development along the main artery, where the land opens,
a continuation of the historical area can be observed through the building typology. In view of the
diverse context of the site, the diploma project seeks a careful study of how the proposal is to relate
to the surrounding natural and anthropic environment.
Statement of intent
Interview Plan:
The theme of the diploma project has the mission of creating a creative and cultural
ensemble to support the artistic community and the help with the problems that the local
administration has encountered over the last years on this level.
The strategic objectives pursued both in the Reghin development strategy documentation
and in the diploma project lead to the design of a formal-architectural space that best corresponds
to the practice in the field of fine arts and music; integrating the community from a cultural and
social point of view and defining an urban and architectural space that can become emblematic for
the city, desiring to increase the attractiveness and economy.
The presence of the watercourse offers the opportunity through the project's intervention
to reintroduce the watercourse into the city's life by setting up loisir spaces to increase their
attractiveness.
The major objective of the diploma project is to integrate into a natural and anthropic
context in a city where there are attempts to integrate a community into cultural activities on the
background of traditional cultural existences.
The interior spaces will be arranged taking into account the formal and functional
requirements for these activities, both in terms of the creative spaces and cultural area. For area of
music study an important role will have aspect of achieving the adequate sound insulation that will
allow these activities to be carried out without affecting another area of the ensemble, and, as far
as the area for activities in the sphere of the fine arts, the objective will be space and light, and its
control which has an important role.
Who is addressed to?
The project's addressability bay must encompass firstly the community of Reghin,
providing both talented people with an environment in which they can develop their skills and
knowledge as well as the other inhabitants, a place of interaction, social and cultural interaction
and meeting. Being located in Upper County and being a polarizer for its northern area, the
ensemble also addresses residents of nearby localities.
Number of people
≈500 people
Form, proposed spaces and integration
The ensemble consists of two volumes: the concert hall and festivities and the creative area.
The two volumes promote the interaction between creative and cultural activities. The connection
between the two is achieved by a joint at the 1st floor level.
The shape of the buildings was influenced by the two important openings of the land, the
car traffic and the water course and the vicinity of the park. The desire to open the ensemble to the
natural elements as well as the connection of the two volumes on the parcel led to the outline of
the dynamic and interactive interior-exterior spaces. In the north part of the land, which has an
opening to the car traffic and to the park, the ensemble opens through an ample space that has the
role of an urban market, directing the public towards the access zone. This urban market continues
towards the interior of the land ending with an amphitheater area and projections that also becomes
a transition space between the whole and the secondary access of the public on the ground. Relation
to the western area with the river is being established through ramps, slopes, level drops and a
walkway, all offering different levels of interaction with the natural element and reintroduction of
this into the city's life.
Materiality and sustainability
The structure of the buildings is made of reinforced concrete pillars and a two-armed way
slab with light elements. The opaque areas of the buildings are provided with the ventilated façade
system, being beneficial for the high temperature changes between the four seasons. The finish of
this area is provided with a light-colored fiber cladding. The west-facing façade, due to the
orientation, will be provided with a vertical wooden rifle that creates a relaxing atmosphere for
study and reading thanks to the diffused light that penetrates into the interior space. The non-
accessible terraces of the two volumes will be provided with photovoltaic panels to supply the
complex with energy from renewable sources, as well as stormwater collecting systems stored in
the underground area and used as gray water and irrigation of green areas on the ground.
Spatial configuration and functions
Floor -1, basement. At level -1 there is the car access with underground parking area of
48 parking spaces, 4 places for people with disabilities, 8 places for motorcycles and a bicycle
area. Also, at the level of the infrastructure there are storage areas together with the technical
spaces and a supply area for the cafe on the ground floor. The connection between the underground
and the upper floors is made by lifts and evacuation stairs provided for each volume of the
assembly.
Ground floor. At the level of the ground floor are proposed public spaces that offer a
dynamic area and a continuous flow of use. Alongside the interior spaces, there are outdoor spaces
that want to highlight the particular qualities of the ensemble, the amphitheater area and outdoor
projections, the canoe area, a decrease in the land to the water through loisir areas. Inside, in the
west area, there is a reception area followed by an ample space with a river opening. In connection
with this transition area, two other public functions are opened, a bookstore and a cafe, addressed
to a wide audience. The café area is characterized by the possibility to be accessed from several
points, so it is easily accessible from the reception area, it has a direct connection with the
amphitheater area and projections inside the site and from the river promenade. The bookstore is
oriented towards the site's access area and is also accessible from the reception area. Also, with
access from the reception area there is also the administration area of the ensemble with three
offices and a bathroom.
In the East, dedicated to festivities and concerts, the ground floor area features an extensive
foyer and a bar area, along with wardrobes, a sanitary group for the public and technical and
storage areas.
First floor. First floor continues with the creative area dedicated to music, with individual
study rooms, group study, rehearsal room and a seminar room for theoretical courses. In the eastern
body, at the first-floor level there is the hall for festivities and concerts, and the connection between
the music floor and the festive hall is made by a glass-hinged joint.
2nd floor. The ensemble continues on the next floor through workshops dedicated to the
plastic arts; workshop dedicated to painting, sculpture, drawing and ceramics. Like the 1st floor,
there is also a seminar room for the theoretical courses and a teacher room.
3rd floor. At the last level there is a gallery of exhibitions that opens to a circular terrace.
This floor connects with the lower floor through a helical staircase.
Surfaces
The ground footprint of the project is about 1450 square meters, with a POT of 35% of the
maximum allowed 60%, and the surface of the project is approximately 4770 sqm, having a CUT
of about 1.5.
Conclusions
Throughout history, culture has been not only a source of inspiration for the artist, on the
contrary, it has become an engine of the city's economic, demographic, social and architectural
development, which developed in parallel to the developments of other industries. Alongside, grew
from a restricted audience in recent centuries to a much wider audience at present becoming
accessible on a wider scale.
The prerequisites of the diploma project lead to outlining some intentions to justify from a
social, cultural and economic point of view the elaboration of a cultural project that together with
education promotes the cultural and creative industries. The cultural institutions together with the
educational ones that promote the cultural and creative activity have gained through work,
professionalism and passion the appreciation of the local county’s administration and of the
inhabitants. The cultural product that the city offers, with the minimum resources it depends on,
has positively influenced the city's life from the economic and social perspective of the city.
In the context of a city where there are shy attempts to integrate the community into
cultural activities, with the background of an existing cultural traditions, the project tries to offer
a possible help to the city’s revitalization and place it in a context of creative city models, also
helping economic growth and attractiveness.
The current tendency, both in the European and American context, to develop cities or
areas of the city through cultural actions, with the role of revitalizing the spaces in difficulty,
supports this project, having the possibility of being an element from a system contributing to the
development of the city.

Creative and Cultural Center

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UNIVERSITY OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM "ION MINCU" - BUCHAREST FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE

University Year 2018 - 2019

CREATIVE AND CULTURAL CENTER:

FINE ARTS AND MUSIC

Why Reghin? Context

Currently, the city faces a variety of difficulties in terms of sustainable development,

Location and multicriteria analysis

Who is addressed to?

Form, proposed spaces and integration

Spatial configuration and functions

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