"Floating Elements, the modular pavilion by arhiDOT design

17.06.2022

Press release

Bucharest, June 17, 2022

"Floating Elements", the modular pavilion proposed by arhiDOT design, is the winner of the architectural competition "Imagine Dumbrava Vlăsiei. A free air"

Residents of Dumbrava Vlăsiei will be able to organize events right in the residential park, in a dedicated space. It's called "Floating Elements" and is a modular pavilion that will function as a multifunctional space for cultural activities, parties, exhibitions, conferences and more.

"Floating Elements" has been chosen, after the vote of the specialized jury, Dumbrava's inhabitants and the public, as the winner of the architectural competition "Imagine Dumbrava Vlăsiei. A free air". There were 150 entries with 50 projects, 10 of them made it to the final and were put to the vote of the residents and the public, who could choose their favorite project on dumbravavlasiei.ro.

After the jury's deliberation, the "In the Open" project came second and the "social_SERA" project third.

Floating Elements team

Created by the architecture house arhi DOT design, under the signature of the architects Daniela and Vlad Boștină, Diana Ursu and Ioana Tudor, "Floating Elements" is a modular pavilion that can be easily assembled, dismantled and moved, conceived as a "weightless background, inviting to activities spent together, offering the optimal environment in terms of image and comfort, without restricting indoor-outdoor communication more than necessary". "The pavilion floats over the natural terrain, an ephemeral presence that temporarily affects it, ready at any time to liberate it," the arhi DOT design explanatory memo adds.

"The evaluation process was long and difficult, at one point almost impossible for the jury members, given not only the complex brief, which involves buildings that are easy to construct, dismantle and reassemble, but also the limited budget. This was, I think, the most difficult part of the selection, given the current state of the global economy. I want to thank all the participants once again for the time and energy devoted to the projects analyzed. We understand and appreciate the effort," said Donald McCreadie, Dumbrava Vlăsiei master-planner.

"The choice was difficult, the wait was hard, but it was worth it," says Maria Ioan - Senior Sales Manager Dumbrava Vlăsiei. "Floating Elements Social Club satisfies both a need and a desire of the community that is developing in Dumbrava - a place where people can be together, spending quality time with each other, in harmony with the spirit of the place and in respect for each one's needs for socializing and privacy."

The Dumbrava Vlăsiei urban residential park issued a challenge to architects in early spring - to imagine a community center, a place for communication, relaxation and community events that Dumbrava residents and visitors alike could enjoy.

"The vision, aesthetics, practicality and versatility of the Floating Elements pavilion won out in a much closer competition than we expected. As president of the jury, I have to admit that the deliberation was more complex and time-consuming than in other similar juries, - because there were so many projects, so many good ones. I would like to thank all the participants and encourage them to take part in future competitions that we will organize", says architect Adrian Soare, president of the jury that evaluated the projects.

The design competition was supported by a series of meetings entitled "Me and the Others. How we live together", in which journalist Vlad Petreanu spoke with several Romanian public figures on issues related to housing, neighborhood and community today.

The authors of the winning project will be awarded €15,000 and the project will be built in the designated area of the residential park, close to the entrance to Dumbravă Vlăsiei.

About Dumbrava Vlăsiei

Dumbrava Vlăsiei is a residential park in the north of Bucharest, a new community hosted by the old Codrii of Vlăsiei, spread over 90 hectares, including five neighboring and related villages.

Dumbrava Vlăsiei proposes a new type of neighborhood that reinvents for Romania the concept of the city - sustainable, comfortable and peaceful, with fully completed modern infrastructure, in harmony with the unique natural space offered by the forest. Here every family has the freedom to come up with their own housing project, and the architectural appearance of the already built author's houses gives a real insight into what Dumbrava Vlăsiei is like.

Within the residential park you can buy land for sale, with all utilities included, as well as some of the available one-off houses designed by renowned architectural offices. The developer of the project, Loreco Investments, values the investment in the project so far at around €50 million. Dumbrava Vlăsiei is already accommodating relocated families and is preparing to accommodate those whose homes are in various stages of development.

The place has been conceived as a self-sufficient community, offering its residents all the conditions to lead a healthy and high quality lifestyle that emphasizes freedom of living without constraints and surprises.