Iasi Architecture Biennale June 27, 2011

In June, an important event for the members of the profession took place in Iasi, an already traditional event, the Biennale of Architecture Iasi - 2011. The exhibition with the participating projects was a good opportunity for contact and dialog between professionals, student architects, representatives of the local administration and the public present at the opening.

In the comments of the jury president, arch. Șerban Sturdza, in the interventions of the speakers (arch. George Carapanu - president of the Iași-Vaslui Branch, arh. Nicolae Munteanu - member of the Senate of UAR, Mr. Mugur Cozmanciuc and Mr. Sorin Ionescu on behalf of the local authorities), the need for a real dialogue between all the actors involved on the current state and future of the city was pointed out, a dialogue that could be enhanced by the presentation of architectural production with a high value content. The quality of the projects presented, the professional maturity they reflect, and the sometimes excessive focus of the architect's interest on the object to the detriment of the context were also noted.

The Biennale was attended by architects, members of the Romanian Order of Architects, Iași-Vaslui Branch, with works completed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010, grouped into the following sections:

- Section 1: Individual and collective housing;

- Section 2: Social-cultural, commercial, commercial and office and religious buildings;

- Section 3: Industrial buildings, showrooms;

- Section 4: Town planning;

- Section 5: Restorations, architectural rehabilitation.

The jury consisted of:

- Arch. Șerban Sturdza (vice-president of OAR, member of the Senate of UAR)

- Arch. Constantin Gorcea (North-East Branch)

- Arch. Gelu Tudorache (Bacău-Neamț Branch)

- Arch. Sorin Nistor (Iași-Vaslui Branch)

From the presentation of the president of the jury, architect Șerban Sturdza:

"A first observation, which we had from the very beginning - those of us who were jurors: we consider that it is less "put on the wall" than the last meeting (Iasi Architecture Biennale 2009), but it is better.

I don't know if it's an effect of the crisis, but I think that the vast majority of the projects were conceived in the "good" period, they are projects that can prove professional maturity and a great concern for things related to details, important elements of architecture. I would say there is quality."

"There is a general lack that we notice in Romania, and partly here too, in the projects on show, and that is - besides the interest in the object, there is a disinterest in the context... and this ultimately weighs on the value content."

"There is probably an explanation, and the explanation that I have found to a large extent could be that often neighborhoods disturb us and put one's own project in an unfavorable light.

With it being so complicated to control the evolution of the city and everything that's going on, perhaps many of us want to highlight our own effort and hide the neighborhoods a bit. It's explainable, but I don't think it's permissible."

"There was a first general "reading" of the projects, followed by a detailed individual analysis, followed by a joint "meeting" of the members with comments, followed by a visit "on the spot" where it was possible to see if there was a coincidence between the photos and reality. It is very useful to judge things real. After the trip, we drew conclusions."