Arhitectura 6/2023 (708)

It has already become a tradition that the Biennale closes with a dedicated issue of Arhitectura magazine, a special issue because it brings together all the elements that make up the Biennale: people, projects, events and places. It is a dense issue, a special edition that brings excellence in architecture to the forefront by spotlighting outstanding projects, talented architects and innovations and research in the world of architecture.

The National Architecture Biennale is a high point in the cultural and professional landscape of national architecture, providing a visible platform for innovation, quality and critical debate in architecture. Initiated to recognize and reward the most outstanding achievements in architecture, the Biennale serves not only as a showcase of talent and innovative projects, but also as a forum for the exchange of ideas, strategies and sustainable practices among architects, critics, architectural education and the general public. Essentially, the event aims to stimulate discussion about the role of architecture in society and the ways in which built spaces can improve the quality of life while responding to the social, economic and environmental challenges of our times. We have put all of these elements together in this issue of the magazine to create a picture of the profession at the end of 2023 that we invite you to discover. We can tell you right now that the 15th edition has highlighted the innovative force of the new generations of Romanian architects and we can see that young people have not only imposed themselves, but have dominated, winning prizes, respect and our hearts. It is incredible how much the BNA laureates can achieve and how young they are, and what a youthful air runs through this number.

We begin this journey through the sections and awards of this edition with an editorial by Mrs. Ileana Tureanu, who from a personal perspective describes the journey of this wide-ranging event that took place in 8 cities. This year, we celebrate not only a tradition of three decades and 15 memorable editions, but also a vibrant gathering of thousands of architects, students, teachers, urban planners, designers, and other creative professions. This year brought a record participation, with over 750 projects entered, demonstrating the vitality and passion of our community for architecture and resulting in a record-breaking magazine that has never had a larger number of pages.

This is followed by the presentations of special awards where you will discover the contribution to architectural and urban planning education of architect Vasile Mitrea, who was honored with the prestigious Opera Omnia Award. Find out more about the "Ambulance for Monuments" project which won the Biennale's Grand Prize, read a highly interesting interview with Köllő Miklós, an architect with a remarkable modern vision of tradition, read four moving letters about a free man - a foray into the significant contribution of Militza Sion to art and architecture. We publish all the awards and nominations of the 14 sections, outstanding projects in a variety of fields of architecture, including individual and collective housing, industrial, administrative, tourist and sports buildings, socio-cultural buildings, restoration, heritage recovery, interior architecture and public and community spaces. Also very interesting is the architectural photography section and learn more about the many architectural books and publications. Explore visionary projects that combine creativity and innovation, projects that foreground sustainability and the future of an increasingly resource-consuming world.

We believe that this issue, which promotes ideas and events related to the National Architecture Biennale, is of particular importance in the context of architecture and urban development. It provides a platform for promoting the latest and most relevant concerns in our profession, cultivating dialog among professionals and supporting ongoing professional development. By showcasing quality architectural works and projects, the journal contributes to increasing public appreciation of the importance of architecture in improving urban and rural environments.