The Bridging Time, Bridging Communities solution

06.07.2022

Press Release

Iasi, June 30, 2022

The solution "Bridging Time, Bridging Communities", designed by UNStudio, has been designated the winner of the international architectural competition organized by IULIUS, for a new development in the central area of Iasi

UNStudio - Deniz Manisali (left) and Stella Nikolakaki (right)

The architectural ensemble designed by UNStudio in the international competition in Iasi, organized by IULIUS company, has been selected by a jury of specialists as the winning solution for a future development in the central area of Iasi. Described by the jury members as "the most complete and balanced response to the whole set of criteria in the competition theme", the project proposed by UNStudio responded with great creativity and innovation to all the challenges generated by the characteristics of the site, one with a dominant and valuable historical and cultural heritage.

After two days of deliberations, the jury, composed of architects Șerban Țigănaș, Augustin Ioan, Dragoș Ciolacu, Mihai Corneliu Drișcu, Matei Bogoescu and historian Cătălin Turliuc, specialized in heritage, urbanism, contemporary architecture and public space valorization, has chosen the winner of the international architectural competition, whose challenge was to propose a contemporary architectural ensemble to complement the current urban landscape in the center of Iasi, defined by emblematic landmarks of different architectural ages.

The four solutions offered by the reputed architectural offices invited demonstrated, equally, a particular depth of research and knowledge of the complex and particular context of the land on which the future ensemble will be built. The strategies for relating to this context were different, none of them lacking attention to the quality of the public spaces, to the quality of the essential perspectives towards the historical monuments, to nature and the social component, as well as to the enhancement of the recent archaeological discoveries in the area.

"We have been eagerly awaiting the response to the formulated theme provided by the four entrants in the competition, knowing from the outset how difficult the jury's task would be to separate them. All the entries were of a high quality in terms of meeting the criteria that had to be met and we found that each of the offices participating in the competition put in a consistent conceptual effort. We are pleased to have been able to designate a winning project that can reset the relationship between contemporary and historical architecture, both locally and, why not, nationally", said the president of the jury, dr. arh. Șerban Țigănaș.

"Bridging Time, Bridging Communities

The project was conceived by UNStudio architects from Amsterdam and is developed on the principle of "building around the horizon". In the motivation for the decision, the jury concludes that "the volumetric solution is the most flattened of all the proposals, building a plane of relationship with the city skyline, which is at the same time an amplification of the plateau of the Palace of Culture square. It thus offers a 360-degree experience towards the silhouette of Iasi and the urban landscape. The spatial connections between the upper and lower levels are made through the planted route, a true oasis".

At the same time, the jury noted that "the framing of the perspectives towards the main monuments is a successful technique, which fragments the base of the ensemble into six distinct bodies, ensuring permeability for pedestrians and allowing routes for the passage of spaces. This creates a true urban room, which becomes an attractive destination for both the public and residents. The proposed atmosphere is complex, different and generous, with a multitude of superimposed plans, in which nature and contemporary architecture create relaxing spaces for all categories of users of the site. The project is very open in its flexibility for adaptations over time, both to the housing and public spaces."

Another aspect appreciated by the specialists was that "the proposal works cleverly with gradient separations and continuities of privacy of the exterior and interior common spaces, all linked by a contemporary architectural expression that is clear and subtle at the same time. The sustainability of the proposal offers an advanced hybrid structural hybrid alternative that can achieve a remarkably low carbon footprint through the development of the project."

"I am speechless. We had hoped to win, but didn't expect to, because all of the offices came up with amazing designs. We are very excited, but also curious, because it is a very difficult project. It makes us excited, but it also makes us responsible, because we have to manage all the challenges. But, in the end, I think it will be a very rewarding endeavor," said Stella Nikolakaki, Senior Architect and Project Manager UNStudio.

Arjan Dingsté, Director and Senior Architect of UNStudio, who was in Iasi for the solution showcase events, said at the opening, "This is the fourth time I've been in Iasi and each time I discover something new. We have studied very, very hard to realize a project that respects the monuments of the city. I hope you support our vision, because we were very enthusiastic to work on this project. We have brought a very sustainable project for the city, but also for future generations, and we are very honored to be part of this endeavor. "

The organizer of the competition is the company IULIUS, which wanted to develop a project based on the vision of the city's residents, the expectations of a community and the aspirations of a generation. "Three years ago, when we set out on this journey, the IULIUS group promised to attract the world's best architectural firms in a competition that would result in a proposal in an area that means so much to the people of IULIUS. And an area of such complexity and historical value prompted us to target world-leading specialists in the field. We were impressed by all the projects participating in the competition and we believe that each of them came up with a valuable vision, confirming once again the high class of the architectural offices participating in the competition. We hope that the people of IULIUS will be proud of the future project, the finalization of the competition being a first step, because from now on the natural course of a development, of approval, authorization and public consultation will follow, leading to the final project", said Raluca Munteanu, IULIUS Development Director.

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Four of the world's top architectural practices participated in the international invitational competition organized by IULIUS in Iasi with the aim of building a contemporary architectural landmark for the city of today and tomorrow. The solutions were proposed by Foster+Partners, MVRDV, UNStudio and Zaha Hadid Architects, architectural offices that have put their signature on iconic buildings around the world and worked for the first time for a specialized competition in our country.

Their vision can be discovered in the solutions on display at the exhibition "An Iasi for the Future", hosted by the Palace of Culture in Iasi, partner of the event, from June 30 to July 14, 2022, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10.00 to 17.00, and also on the online platform www.iasipentruviitor.ro.

PR Department

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