Conversation with architect Nicolae Porumbescu (1981)

Ileana Murgescu: ...Run away from interviews, run away from Bucharest, run away from my questions. Running away from the world?

conf. arh. Nicolae Porumbescu: I can see that you're scratching my head, but, for me, living In the everyday, that is to say, also with my soul in the everyday, limits the horizon. Only objectification of the everyday can lead you to true knowledge. I too know everyday life, I know the everyday in all its complexity, but you cannot get to the essence unless you abstract yourself from it, unless you try to distance yourself from it and objectify it. Knowledge is not the same as living! Do you know how much wisdom there is in the conception of the peasant's porch? A whole philosophy is contained there: you stand and the big eaves direct your gaze to the attributes of everyday life, to the backyard. With one gesture, just one gesture, the gesture of sitting, the gesture of sitting on the bench, your gaze comes into direct contact with immensity, with the sky. This change of horizon and preoccupations, achieved by a single gesture: that is the unique lesson of popular architecture!

I.M.: A few hours ago, a few hours ago, when we were climbing on scaffolding in the cold winter rain, through the muddy construction site, and you were talking to me passionately about the new building of the Department of Architecture and the House of Technology and Science, I felt that you had a lot to say and to pass on. Now I'm fighting with you...

conf. arh. Nicolae Porumbescu: That'sexactly the point! I don't believe in verbal or written communication. Architects communicate, above all, through what they do! Our attitude is what we do. It's also how we show respect for each other. You smile and suggest that many accuse me that I only like what we do. That's nonsense, but respect doesn't mean giving up your own attitude. You can even remain exclusive! That countertop you're holding in your hand is made by me. It was an exercise in the pleasure of making. I worked it the way I imagined a master carpenter would have bought the material. I had to hypostatize myself to get it right. It's an urinal stand, but it's a "tender" stand. I caught the gesture of tenderness, the caress with which the craftsman would have worked. I call that respect!