Diploma project - Curative Saline Therapy Center Slănic, jud. Prahova

stud.-arch.: Andrada EFTIME

Faculty of Architecture USH

This diploma project deals with the rehabilitation of the "Unirea" Mine, which was inaugurated in 1943. With a depth of 217 meters and an area of about 80,000 square meters, since 1972, the mine has been exclusively destined for tourism and complementary therapies. It is part of the Slănic Prahova Salt Mine, the most famous in Europe, located 45 km from Ploiești and dating back to 1685, when the backer Mihail Cantacuzino bought the Slănic estate.

The architectural intervention on this site highlights two major groups of elements. The first is the historical, architectural and documentary value of the mine, with its elevator and existing buildings. The second is the value of the natural setting from which the objective benefits. Thus, the diploma project proposes the development of spaces and functions that are accessible from the main lobby, at the center of which is the underground access elevator, built in 1936. The proposed functions include accommodation, treatment and catering. The accommodation can capitalize on the tourism and treatment potential of the area. The Salina may be difficult to access for some patients who, for various reasons, cannot reach the basement. In this case, artificial salt ponds are the best solution. With this in mind, it has been proposed to install a surface treatment facility in the ground floor of an existing restored building. This building is directly connected via the main hallway to the restaurant, accommodation and treatment clinic in the newly proposed building.

As a result of the presented architectural intervention, which also implies the preservation of the monument, the existing buildings are remodeled and valorized so that, together with the newly proposed ones, they can accommodate current functions and a new cycle of activities.

architecture tutor: conf. dr. dr. arh. Constantin Rusu