Following the previous patrimony-related articles, dedicated to presenting fine examples of recovery and restoration of historical monuments that had reached a state of advanced decay, most of them requiring emergency interventions, in this issue, we’d like to present a different type of approach. The Marma]ia Hotel was never in a state of collapse, nor was it the target of vandalism. Its initial shape had never been altered and it wasn’t even a very old building. Nevertheless, the intervention it was subjected to may serve for an example to similar buildings all over the country. The first phase of the project, entrusted to the late prof. dr. arh. Petre Ciut`, involved several reinforcement interventions and the design of a new interior layout. Later, in 2007, when the interior design phase of the project was started, it was assigned to architects Claudia Teodorovici and Constantin Ciurea of Architect Service, their design aiming to restore the feel of a bygone age as faithfully as possible.

The mountains of spoil became the basis (in the literal and figurative sense) of the park's prominent landform, accented by four conical mounds between 20 and 35 meters, strategically aligned along the adjacent highway to block the noise, visual and air pollution. The new topography generates environmental and recreational opportunities unique in the area given the flat surroundings, while creating a new identity landmark. In order to avoid the „resting area” character of most London parks, FoRM Associates wanted to shape Northala Fields as a dynamic landscape, whose slopes and curves automatically set the visitors in motion and instill the desire to climb, explore, descend and climb again.

The design of a single-family house on a narrow lot, within a not so coherent built context, is evidently a challenge, at least when it comes to choosing the appropriate style. RUAA (Rugin`+ Associated Arhitects) chose to relate to two neighbouring houses: the first – very eclectic, and the second – built after 1990 and exhibiting a clearly defined, clean and simple architectural vocabulary. The starting point turned out to be the client’s penchant for contemporary design and his wish to inhabit a private, yet dynamic space. The architects managed to maximize the comfort and the surface of the interiors within a narrow lot of 11,75 m x 40,64 m, respecting the law-imposed retreats, by creating an unusual layout. The volume was generated by piecing together two secondary volumes, these being separated both in plane and vertical section and thus establishing a gradual passage from public to private space. The degree in which the external and internal areas communicate depends directly on each room’s degree of intimacy: the living room is gradually separated from the street level, which sets it apart from the other rooms, and allows for the natural lighting ventilation of the semi-basement, which is, at its turn, open towards the outside garden.

Covering a total surface of 680 sqm, the restaurant assembles all its elements – the bar, dining room and lounge area - within the same space. Almost square in shape, the space is organised around a central area, emphasised, in plane, by the line of the lounge sofas and, in 3D, by an ample structure – a stylized version of the Classical-style ceiling decoration – consisting in modules of varying shapes and inclines. The light – the main design element – reigns over the entire quasi-monochrome interior of the Loft, emphasizing, pointing out or outlining the various surfaces and details, which become fully subordinated to it. The brick (as well as the visible ventilation system and the inox tape) is an homage to the old building inside which the restaurant is located - „Cartea româneasc`” (The Romanian Book), the oldest print shop in Bucharest – and its presemce emphasizes the generous, white surfaces.

Inaugurated in 1969, Hakone, the first Japanese open air museum, part of the national Fuji-Hakone-Izu park, holds countless contemporary sculpture pieces, exhibition pavilions, relaxation areas and children’s playgrounds. Situated less than 100km away from Tokyo, the park is an extremely popular tourist attraction. The permanent Pavilion designed by Tezuka Architects is part of the Hakone collection, celebrating 40 years of the museum’s existence. Designed to shelter a piece by artist Toshiko Horiuchi Macadam – a hand-woven nylon fiber net that children can climb, leap and play on – the pavilion is build exclusively with wooden pieces held together with dowel pins.