The results of the competition "Design of the University Parking: technical project"

First place (the project to be implemented) was won by a team from Italy, led by architect Ambra Fabi. The cost of the project was estimated by the designers at €500,000.

The international design competition for the "University Parking Garage" has chosen its winners. They were chosen from 52 entries. Only 35 were accepted by the jury. 13 projects were rejected and 4 disqualified. Judging took place from October 31 to November 3.

The competition was organized by the Bucharest City Hall together with the Romanian Order of Architects, after the construction of the underground car park at University Square started (in 2010), at the request of the Bucharest branch of the Romanian Order of Architects. The reason: the project for this underground parking garage was drawn up with derogations from the provisions of the Zonal Urban Development Plan approved by the General Council of Bucharest

The competition came in the form of a public procurement procedure, followed by negotiation (without publication of a tender notice) with the winner designated by the jury, leading to the award of the design services contract.

The Bucharest City Hall has made available the total prize fund of 200.000 lei and the financing of design services of maximum 500.000 lei (including VAT). The co-organizer, the Romanian Order of Architects (OAR) and the Bucharest Branch of the OAR, is ensuring the organization of the competition with funds provided by the Romanian Union of Architects and the sole sponsor of the competition.

The jury was composed of 7 members: Arch. Luigi Snozzi (Switzerland), dr. arh. Luis F. P. Conceição (Portugal), arh.

Angelo Rovența (Austria), dr. arh. Zeno Bogdănescu (Romania), dr. arh. Nicolae Lascu (Romania), arh. Eugen Pănescu (Romania) and arh. Gheorghe Pătrașcu, Bucharest City Hall. There were also two substitutes: arh. Nemeș Karoly and arh. Diana Olteanu.

The winning project (60.000 RON) is realized by architects Simona Dirvariu, Ambra Fabi, Carole Lenoble.

From the jury's appreciation:

"Rigorously respecting the theme of the competition, the solution proposes a unitary square in the center of which is designed an island exclusively pedestrian, surrounded by spaces that offer the possibility of vehicular circulation. This island is delimited by a series of lighting fixtures and the four statues are placed inside it. This gives the statues maximum importance, emphasizing the memory of the place. The jury noted that this was the only project in the competition which, with its elegant, unassuming design, gives a clear contemporary impression, not subordinated to the overall volumetry of the end of the 19th century. The jury noted the strength of the idea, the simplicity and economy of the project, which allows for immediate realization, but also the possibility of subsequent adaptations to meet future needs. The proposed lighting is appropriate, the street furniture is non-ostentative, not oppressive in number or design."

Recommendation:

"In order to define the square space more clearly, it is recommended to supplement the vegetal elements, in the spirit of the project, in particular by tall vegetation, particularly in the neighborhood of the Șuțu Palace, in keeping with the planting in the courtyard of the palace. It is recommended to study the material for paving the island with statues, which would ensure the preciousness of the space."

Second place went to a Romanian team - arch. Radu Drăgan (Drăgan Architecture), arh. Sandu Hangan, landscape designer Denis Targowla, lighting engineer Nathalie Cede, Martina Bordini (Light Cibles), and the prize was worth RON 45,000.

From the jury's appreciation:

"It is the only project that proposes a next step - a unitary, fully pedestrianized square. The jury considered the sequence of the two phases proposed in the project to be judicious, considering that the first phase also corresponds to the imperatives of the competition theme. The project foresees for the future, in direct correlation with the design and realization of the University metro station, the crossing of the entire length of the square by cars from Elisabeta Boulevard. On this occasion it is proposed to modify the access to the underground parking. The square is well delimited by planting on its eastern and western sides. The jury found that the statue of Michael the Brave has been moved from its original location, which was amended in the points awarded to the project."

The company 4B Consultanță Arhitectura came third (RON 35,000). Co-authors: eng. Eugen Ionescu, eng. Viorel Bulzan, eng. Doina Boariu, eng. Dragoș Marcu.

From the jury's appreciation:

"The project belongs to the majority category of projects that propose to preserve the existing situation of the artery crossing the square, which separates the pedestrian area from the traffic area. The different solutions for the layout of the square were appreciated, which relate in a precise way to different situations."