Thematic Dossier

In situ

Thematic Dossier

arh.SILVIA DEMETER LOWE Recommends on
Arh. Ion Popușoi

IN SITU

caption><img src= A stroll through Brasov is enough to start wondering what architectural office is behind these new buildings in highly visible parts of the city, these bold but unostentatious buildings that seem to be the most appropriate answer for the place they were designed for. These buildings illustrate contemporary architecture of the highest quality, with harmonious interplays between full and empty, and with transparencies that allow glimpses of welcoming interior spaces suggesting comfort or even luxury. And so we come to In Situ and architect Ion Popușoi.

Of all the definitions of the term 'in situ', the one in the Cambridge dictionary seems to be the most relevant to illustrate the work of Ion Popușoi's architectural office: 'In the original place, or the place where something should be'.

The buildings designed and realized by Popușoi "belong" where they were built. Although each project looks completely different from the others, the buildings realized by In Situ have one common denominator: attention to detail. Whether it's a perforated metal screen inspired by the structure of a leaf or an insect's wing (well reasoned choices), the combination of patinated copper surfaces that fade into a sheen of water reflecting the sunset, or bold solutions for the use of interior spaces, you find the perfect detail.

Of course, the architecture that In Situ conceives and realizes is a reflection of the man Ion Popușoi - a man with a concern for his fellow man, concerned about the consequences of taking on the responsibility of being an architect and building. Needless to say, Ion Popușoi does architecture with great passion and dedication. His numerous nominations and awards in national and international competitions are further proof.

Ion Popușoi divides his time between his offices in Brasov, Bucharest and his family. He seems to manage to maintain a balance so that everything runs smoothly. At least, that's the impression left by the soft smile on his face. Ion is also a parent who makes time for his family. He talks to his children with the same enthusiasm about Carlo Scarpa, Șerban Sturza, storybooks and future vacation destinations... although of course these too involve architectural tours. A night out can mean Street Delivery!

Ion Popușoi (b.1972)

1997 - Graduate "Ion Mincu" Institute of Architecture

2008 - Ion Popușoi and Bogdan Preda become associate architects.
Later, architect Dragoș Hinta and engineer Andrei Parfene joined the team.

WORKS
2009 - Apartment building on Cetățuia Street. Brasov.
2011 - Cetățuia Loft. Interior design.
2015 - Restaurant Grădinița/Dakota by Isoletta.
2017 - Apartment building Neorama. Brașov.
2016 - Individual dwelling Bucharest.
2016 - Artisan pastry Panner. Moeciu/Bran.
2017 - Apartment building Emil Gârleanu. Brasov.
2017 - Loft Emil Gârleanu/Dealul Melcilor.

2019 - Apartment building str. Maior Cranța. Brașov.

AWARDS

1999 - 3rd place - C.E.C. National Competition - Corporate Image. 2000 - Ex-Aequo Prize. Museum of Stone Culture and Prun Quarries Natural Reserve, Negrar - Verona/Italy
2001 - Honorable Mention. USA institute - New York, The Masques of the City.
2008 - Nominalization. Anuala de Arhitectură București, category Interior design for Sony Center showroom 2015 - Nominated. International Space Design Award - Idea-Tops. Best Dining Spaces, Dakota Restaurant/Gradinița.

Those curious to find out more about In Situ will discover a variety of projects in the Brasov area and in Bucharest: the Neorama Residence apartment buildings, the one on Emil Gârleanu Street, the Cetățuia Loft - all in Brasov, the Panner Artisan Bakery in Moeciu de Jos, the "furnace" house and the Damian House in Bucharest. But of them all, the Grădinița Restaurant project in Bucharest seems to be the project that best represents Ion Popușoi: it is a building that is lost in the landscape, but at the same time it is an "apparition". There seems to be no demarcation between the built object and the vegetation around it, between the imaginary and the real.