Architecture Bucharest

1 architecture

1.1 historical architecture
1.2 communist architecture
1.3 contemporary architecture

architecture

the city centre mixture of medieval, neoclassical, , art nouveau buildings, neo-romanian buildings dating beginning of 20th century , collection of modern buildings 1920s , 1930s. utilitarian communist-era architecture dominates southern boroughs. built contemporary structures such skyscrapers , office buildings complete landscape.

historical architecture

church of stavropoleos monastery



interior view of national military circle

of city s medieval architecture, of survived modern times destroyed communist systematization, fire, , military incursions. medieval , renaissance edifices remain, notable in lipscani area. precinct contains notable buildings such manuc s inn (hanul lui manuc) , ruins of old court (curtea veche); during late middle ages, area heart of commerce in bucharest. 1970s onwards, area went through urban decline, , many historical buildings fell disrepair. in 2005, lipscani area pedestrianised , undergoing restoration.

the city centre has retained architecture late 19th , 20th centuries, particularly interwar period, seen golden age of bucharest architecture. during time, city grew in size , wealth, therefore seeking emulate other large european capitals such paris. of architecture of time belongs modern (rationalist) architecture current, led horia creangă , marcel iancu.

in romania, tendencies of innovation in architectural language met need of valorisation , affirmation of national cultural identity. art nouveau movement finds expression through new architectural style initiated ion mincu , taken on other prestigious architects capitalize important references of romanian laic , medieval ecclesiastical architecture (for example mogoșoaia palace, stavropoleos church or disappeared church of văcărești monastery) , romanian folk motifs.

two notable buildings time crețulescu palace, housing cultural institutions including unesco s european centre higher education, , cotroceni palace, residence of romanian president. many large-scale constructions such gara de nord, busiest railway station in city, national bank of romania s headquarters, , telephone palace date these times. in 2000s, historic buildings in city centre underwent restoration. in residential areas of city, particularly in high-income central , northern districts, turn-of-the-20th-century villas restored beginning in late 1990s.

communist architecture

house of free press (casa presei libere), built in 1950s during years of communist regime



standardized apartment blocks built part of systematization

a major part of bucharest s architecture made of buildings constructed during communist era replacing historical architecture high-density apartment blocks – significant portions of historic center of bucharest demolished construct 1 of largest buildings in world, palace of parliament (then officially called house of republic). in nicolae ceaușescu s project of systematization, new buildings built in historical areas, razed , built upon.

one of singular examples of type of architecture centrul civic, development replaced major part of bucharest s historic city centre giant utilitarian buildings, marble or travertine façades, inspired north korean architecture. mass demolitions occurred in 1980s, under overall area of 8 square kilometres of historic center of bucharest leveled, including monasteries, churches, synagogues, hospital, , noted art deco sports stadium, changed drastically appearance of city. communist-era architecture can found in bucharest s residential districts, in blocuri, high-density apartment blocks house majority of city s population.

there communist architecture built in years of system, in late 1940s , 1950s. buildings constructed in era followed soviet stalinist trend of socialist realism, , include house of free press (which named casa scînteii during communism).

contemporary architecture

headquarters of union of romanian architects, unusual combination of new , old



financial plaza



city gate towers, example of 21st century modern architecture

since fall of communism in 1989, several communist-era buildings have been refurbished, modernized, , used other purposes. perhaps best example of conversion of obsolete retail complexes shopping malls , commercial centres. these giant, circular halls, unofficially called hunger circuses due food shortages experienced in 1980s, constructed during ceaușescu era act produce markets , refectories, although left unfinished @ time of revolution.

modern shopping malls such unirea shopping center, bucharest mall, plaza romania, , city mall emerged on pre-existent structures of former hunger circuses. example conversion of large utilitarian construction in centrul civic marriott hotel. process accelerated after 2000, when city underwent property boom, , many communist-era buildings in city centre became prime real estate due location. many communist-era apartment blocks have been refurbished improve urban appearance.

the newest contribution bucharest s architecture took place after fall of communism, particularly after 2000, when city went through period of urban renewal – , architectural revitalization – on of romania s economic growth. buildings time made of glass , steel, , have more 10 storeys. examples include shopping malls (particularly bucharest mall, conversion , extension of abandoned building), office buildings, bank headquarters, etc.

during last ten years, several high rise office buildings built, particularly in northern , eastern parts of city. additionally, trend add modern wings , façades historic buildings has occurred, prominent example of bucharest architects association building, modern glass-and-steel construction built inside historic stone façade. in 2013, bucharest skyline enriched 137-m-high office building (skytower of floreasca city center), tallest building in romania. examples of modern skyscrapers built in 21st century include bucharest tower center, euro tower, nusco tower, cathedral plaza, city gate towers, rin grand hotel, premium plaza, bucharest corporate center, millennium business center, pgv tower, charles de gaulle plaza, business development center bucharest, brd tower, , bucharest financial plaza. despite development on vertical, romanian architects avoid designing tall buildings due vulnerability earthquakes.

aside buildings used business , institutions, residential developments have been built, many of consist of high-rise office buildings , suburban residential communities. example of new high rise residential complex asmita gardens. these developments increasingly prominent in northern bucharest, less densely populated , home middle- , upper-class bucharesters due process of gentrification.