113 -NM2023 – SIMPLE ARCHITECTURE SRL
Autori principali: Chioran Bogdan, Boca Ștefania, Rădac Florin, Pintea Dan Andrei, Hăprian Alexandru
Coautori: Pop Monica Rodica
Colaboratori specialități: Claudia Petrasciuc
Această propunere primește o mențiune specială datorită integrării sale sensibile în contextul mai larg și a expresiei arhitecturale încântătoare care pune accentul în egală măsură pe vechi și nou, conferind o identitate aparte comunității școlare, una de care pot fi mândri. Această schemă reușește să echilibreze cu succes vechiul și noul. – aprecierea Juriului.
Conservation of the everyday heritage
The appreciation of old environments depends on mood. What is new is appreciated because it is new and sparkling. What is old is appreciated because it is old and rustic. In between is a long intermezzo of the ordinary that is not valued. (KNOB symposium ‘Geactiveerd erfgoed’ Campus TU Eindhoven (2018).
We deeply acknowledge the remarkable qualities of the Gheorgheni district. It’s not palaces, offices, or monuments that decide the character and identity of this neighbourhood, but rather the lived, collective reality in which its inhabitants live from day to day. The built-up areas are attractive because of their design’s clarity and natural, unremarkable simplicity.
In recent years, we can observe a particular interest in socialist mass housing estates conservation. There are estates like Lazdynai, in Vilnius (the only neighbourhood to receive the “Lenin Prize”, 1964) which already went through a legislative procedure of conservation. There is also a range of research initiatives focusing above all on the initial challenge of what needs to be conserved, what is heritage and what is not heritage in the context of socialist mass housing estates. Thus, our proposal is to build in the most sensitive way possible in this exceptional context by preserving its urban qualities and natural simplicity.
Type projects
Architects and urban planners during the construction of Gheorgheni Neighbourhood did not focus much on socialist-type projects for schools and high schools. The main emphasis of the regime was on housing, industry, health facilities, and social-cultural programs. The leading architecture magazine of the communist era, Arhitectura R.P.R., did not publish a single edition dedicated to educational spaces.
Cluj-Napoca’s only surviving socialist neighbourhood was to be the host of two educational projects that no longer correspond with today’s needs and norms. An article from 1960 by I.P.C.T. discussed the Northern school type project and minimized corridors and communal spaces, stating that recreation should take place outside. This contradicts the 18th-century view of modernizing and reforming society through architecture.
Investments in schools were meant to contribute not only to the education of the masses but also to the modernization of the city. Our proposal aims to enhance the existing school by documenting its weaknesses and strengths and creating a landmark for education that reflects the importance of education in society. The school should be a place that expresses the nature of the social relations it is responsible for and serves as a common ground for building society.
Architectural motifs and inspiration
“It should also be said that during the 60’s, there was a political opening. We were given permission to take a look at what has been done in the West. It was then when I subscribed to, L’ Architecture d’ Aujourd’hui”, which made me really happy.” architect Vasile Mitrea, Interview, February 2022
Urban scenography – A lost urban memory.
1969 Archive Photo from Detunata Park with the newly finished neighbourhood (On the right the northern School Building)
We found this archive photo truly inspiring and revealing of the authors urban composition ideas. It’s clear how the buildings were placed and designed so that they benefit from the ecosystem of Detunata Park. One can also observe the pathways that go directly in the middle of the composition. Arguably, this urban scenography was lost in time, mainly due to the construction of the private school in between the public schools. However, we view this as a great opportunity to recover parts of this lost memory.
Urban scenography-Recovering the urban qualities of the Park.
Sketch showing our overall urban interventions We imagined the new additions to the urban landscape to seamlessly blend with the natural beauty of Detunata Park. Our proposed buildings not only respect the original urban composition, but they also open up to the park with wide terraces and breath-taking rooftop views. The northern school addition sits effortlessly on the plot, while both the northern and southern sports halls follow the terrain slope to offer stunning views and diverse learning experiences.
Landscape Qualities of the Proposal
Braking the barriers between Detunata Park and the Microdistrict
We propose new connections between Detunata Park and the West part of Gheorgheni. We believe the current state of these connections are in poor quality and we possess a great opportunity to improve the accessibility in the park for all residents.
Pedestrian circulation on Aleea Băișoara
A new large pedestrian alley connects all the important public spaces between north and south. It conveys unity and clarity between all the major public spaces and acts as a central spine of all the urban pockets we created.
Auto circulation on Aleea Băișoara
We propose a new auto street that due to its snake like character dissuades car usage and speeding. Also, the street leaves with the sidewalk in front of all 3 school accesses furthermore discouraging high speed.
Green space continuity and bright sunny courtyards
Our proposal provides generous sunny courtyards with optimal orientation that allows diverse learning opportunities and leisure activities. Generous rooftops extend the green space of Detunata Park into our buildings.
Unrestricted Park views
Research indicates that students who have visual access to green spaces tend to be more focused and productive. Therefore, we consider this an important conservation and design decision we implemented in the new buildings.
Existing Circulations – Schools are connected.
One interesting observation we made during our circulation study is that the street is particularly busy with students. This is because over 18 high school students are allowed to leave the school premises during recess periods and often go back and forth to Mercury Market. Additionally, we noted that primary school students need to be picked up by parents (by law) and around 8 am and 12 pm parents gather around the Primary School site. Despite this, there is currently no designated Kiss and Ride area for parents to wait for their children. Furthermore, Middle School teachers go to the northern plot to teach 5th graders, and 5th graders themselves go to the Natural Science Laboratory located on the southern plot because they do not have their own.
Existing Program – Schools are connected.
The current distribution of the school program presents a significant challenge. The lack of space has forced the management to accommodate fifth graders in the Primary School located in the northern plot, leading to Middle School teachers in the southern plot having to commute to the other school. Compounding this issue is the fact that fifth graders have to walk to the southern plot for certain classes, which goes against Romanian law that prohibits underage students from leaving school premises during school hours.
Proposed Circulations – Complete separation
Our proposal offers a solution that eliminates the need for teachers and students to go back and forth between the two schools. At first glance, one is tempted to somehow connect the two buildings which are irrationally separated by a long alley and a private school. So, we became interested in the way in which the school is functioning today, and we found out that almost all of the students do not need to circulate between the two buildings. Teachers must go back and forth from one building to another. It is as if the schools already are functioning separately already. We found this separation more suitable for the students and for the autonomy of each building.
Proposed Program-Complete Autonomy
Our solution to the challenge of making the schools function independently is to completely separate the Primary School from the Middle and High School. By doing so, we eliminate the need for younger children to interact with older ones, which can be beneficial for their development and safety. Our proposal is not just theoretical but is also reflected in the programmatic distribution of spaces. The Middle and High School in the North can now function autonomously with their own classrooms, laboratories, library, multifunctional and teacher areas. The Primary School in the South is also designed to cater to the needs of younger children with all the necessary spaces that a Primary School requires. Additionally, we have added buffer areas as multifunctional zones that can accommodate additional classrooms or laboratories, if necessary, without compromising the concept of the project.
Sustainability
Our solution prioritizes sustainability, efficiency, and modularity, all while creating a vibrant and inspiring learning environment for students. The chosen typology features efficient and compact building volumes, and the new school building’s main atrium provides excellent natural ventilation. The sunken sports halls take advantage of the warming effect of the ground in winter and protect the buildings from summer heat. Modularity is seen at both the building and detail level, allowing for cost-effective adaptability and standardization.
Notably, phased construction is possible, with the urgent need being the construction of two sports hall. This approach provides a sustainable, flexible, and cost-effective solution that meets current and future needs.
Another sustainable feature of our design is the provision of public functions for the community that can be utilized after school hours. The library on the ground floor, which opens up to Mercury Plaza, along with the multifunctional ground floor spaces of the new building, are available for public use. Additionally, both sport halls have separate entrances and can be used outside of school hours. This not only benefits the community but also enhances the sustainability of the project by maximizing the use of resources.
1. Nature as a learning environment
To create a sustainable learning environment, we believe that students should be involved in observing and exploring the natural world. This is why we created a variety of open-air spaces and outdoor classrooms that acts as an extension of the Detunata Park. This can provide opportunities for hands-on learning experiences.
2. Maximizing energy efficiency
– Using high-performance insulation with 25cm thermal insulation for walls – for both existing and new buildings.
– Using insulation footing with recycled glass aggregates (geocell) – for both existing and new buildings.
– Energy-efficient windows – for both existing and new buildings.
– Heat recovery ventilation systems with 80% heat recovery efficiency – for both existing and new buildings.
– Airtightness of windows – for both existing and new buildings.
3. Renewable Energy
We propose solar panels on existing and new buildings’ non-walk roof terraces and implementing water conservation through rainwater harvesting and efficient wastewater treatment.
4. Indoor Environmental Quality
Finally, we wish to prioritize indoor environmental quality, including ventilation, air quality, and thermal comfort. This can be achieved using natural ventilation, which can be done in all the buildings.
