124 – HQ2745 – SEKO ARHISTUDIO VISON SRL & S&P ARCHITEKTEN ZT GMBH

Autor principal: S&P Architekten ZT GmbH
Coautori: SC Seko Arhistudio Vision SRL

THE NEW RHAPSODY

Vision

We aim to create a dynamic inviting place that combines historical significance with modern vitality, encouraging community engagement and cultural events, stimulating economic growth and promoting sustainability.

From visual to functional

The proposal transitions from a visual focus on Victoriei Square’s Axes to a functional one, bringing new life between the two iconic promenades and encouraging a continuous pedestrian flow. This transformation bridges Timisoara’s past, present, and future – a place where residents and visitors can connect with the city’s history and culture while creating lasting memories. It includes seating, landscaping, well-lit pathways, and dining options, creating a dynamic space that meets community needs while preserving cultural heritage.

Threads of Tradition

The aerial perspective of Victoriei Square has consistently served as the city’s iconic focal point. Therefore the concept begins on this grand scale by celebrating the Banat Folk Art heritage, incorporating traditional geometrical embroideries into a contemporary design. It combines tradition with a modern twist, making it culturally significant and contemporary. The central zone, symbolizing a traditional Romanian “carpet” with regional patterns, connects the church and opera house, creating a culturally significant and modern space.

Axis of the Monuments

Significant historical monuments are seamlessly integrated within the “carpet” accentuated through distinctive circular or triangular paving motifs. Within close proximity to the monuments, various gathering areas offer unique atmospheres, inviting spaces where people can gather, interact, and enjoy cultural events.

Tracing History

We’re preserving and showcasing hidden architectural history including traces of the old fortress and historic paving.

Urban Tapestry

Landscaped and socialising areas are seamlessly integrated into the carpet design. These spaces include green areas with different scale and type of plants selected so that the whole year one can enjoy flowering plants, seating furniture and shading elements that promote a relaxed and sociable atmosphere.

Open-Air Mall

The square’s ground floor zone becomes more accessible, revitalizing various stores, creating a shopping promenade ambiance, transforming the area into an open-air mall and enhancing the town center’s charm.

Emphasizing Communal Spaces

We reduce the parking spaces in the entire central area, fostering a traffic-calming effect. Parking is reserved for private use within the blocks.

Shared-Space Concept

The area in front of the Cathedral transforms into a traffic-calmed zone, a ‘shared space’ for all road users and only two car lanes. At the intersections in front of the old Cinema and Central Park, we’ve choose stable larger format paving instead of the small one, due to its stability, in response to the car traffic demands in curves.

Structure of the zones

The entire area is structured into four different traffic zones. The central squares are for pedestrians only. The surrounding secondary roads are designed as “residential streets” intended for pedestrians, cyclists and limited vehicle access. The square in front of the church will be redesigned as a “shared space” for vehicles and pedestrians at reduced speeds, with the aim of expanding the central square up to the Cathedral. The streets surrounding the core area remain conventional, open to all road users.

Connecting Prominent Landmarks

The concept’s primary objective is to connect the main square with landmarks like the Cathedral, Philharmonic Hall, and the Public Gardens. It enhances visibility and access to these monuments by establishing a visual link between them.

Hub for Cultural Events

The area in front of the Opera House will remain a hub for significant cultural events, while the zone in front of the Cathedral will be transformed into a venue for various festivities.

Unlocking Hidden Potential

We are committed to preserving the underground passage’s accessibility, originally designed to withstand significant traffic loads. Our vision is to revitalise it into an exciting underground nightclub, following successful examples in major cities. We’ll reduce the number of access stairs and maintain the public toilets. Simple yet effective measures, like perimeter outer hydro-isolation for walls and hydro-injections for the floor, help preserving history while shaping a sustainable future.

Huniade Square Revamp

The Huniade square transforms for visibility from the Opera House, integrating Civic Park with a new tree grid hosting activities and inviting visitors in the park. The existing trees are highlighted and seamlessly incorporated into the overall design.

Circular Paving and Castle Emphasis

Distinctive circular paving in front of the castle brings new life and defines ‘places’, emphasizing the castle’s central role and acts as a visual reference and smooth transition to the adjacent Libertatii Square.

Playgrounds for All Ages

The space becomes a green gathering spot with interactive play and leisure areas for everyone. These spaces feature outdoor play elements and fitness equipment that promote movement and social interaction, blending into the lush green surroundings and encouraging an active lifestyle.

Biodiversity

New ecosystems are created by unsealing areas and extensive greenery with native plants. They serve as habitats and natural protection zones for many species. The historic tuja trees act as guardians of time and contribute to the unique ecological balance of the area. Victoriei Square has to become a green oasis in the middle of the city, providing biodiversity and bringing nature back into the urban habitat.

eco-friendly materials

Our project utilizes eco-friendly materials and integrates green practices to minimize the square’s ecological footprint. We aim to create an urban oasis that not only respects the natural environment but also sets a new standard for environmentally conscious urban development.

Water Features

Enchanting water elements add beauty, tranquillity, and a unique dimension to the square. The essence of water is brought to life and delights the senses through the charming interplay of fountains, delicate drizzles and captivating water surfaces.

Sponge City Concept

The design incorporates permeable green spaces and extensive planting. We use small format unsealed paving materials to allow water to naturally infiltrate the ground. Sustainable water management utilizes the soil as a natural sponge, absorbing and storing water for trees, fountains, and water features. This infiltration prevents flooding and enhances the microclimate and air quality.

A “Highway” for the Bike lane

Broader cycle paths seamlessly link with existing ones, promoting a cyclist-friendly environment. Furthermore, to ensure access to the historic pedestrianized core, secondary roads extend from the ‘highway’ towards the main square.

Lighting System

A well-planned warm white lighting system enhances aesthetics and safety, including effect lighting of the three historical buildings: Opera house, Cathedral and Huniade Castle. We use light poles of varying heights to suit different areas, with shorter poles for intimate seating areas among trees and taller poles for larger gathering spaces. Indirect lighting also enhances plants, fountains, water features, and floor luminaries.

Guidance System for the Blind

A tactile guidance system of floor-embedded panels helps visually impaired individuals navigate safely within a defined area.

Die „Nebenstrassen“

Urban Rhapsody

Flux Urban – Urban flow

Vivid Victory

Pulse Vibe

Urban Indigo

Tesatura victoriei – Victory Tapestry

Urzeala Victoriei – The weaving of victory

Vision: We aim to create an inviting and accessible environment that fosters community engagement, cultural events, and green spaces. By revitalizing the square and integrating advanced technologies, sustainable infrastructure, and eco-conscious practices, we envision Victoriei Square as a dynamic, green, and inclusive space that reflects the spirit of the city and enriches the lives of its residents and visitors. Victory Square stands as the central urban nucleus of the city, and our project aims to amplify its significance.

The overall atmosphere and layout we envision are characterized by a harmonious blend of historical reverence and contemporary vitality. By preserving iconic landmarks, such as the Huniade Castle, and integrating modern urban elements, we create an atmosphere that resonates with both tradition and innovation. The layout is designed to facilitate a seamless flow of pedestrian and cultural activities With its well-illuminated walkways, lush greenery, and carefully integrated features, our vision for Victory Square is one of a dynamic urban center that preserves its historical roots while embracing the modern spirit of our city.

The added value of our project in Victory Square is multifaceted. First and foremost, it’s about enhancing the quality of life for our community. We’re revitalizing a historic space, making it more accessible, vibrant, and culturally rich. Additionally, our project brings economic benefits by attracting visitors and businesses to the area, bolstering local commerce. It also strengthens the city’s cultural identity and promotes a sense of pride among residents. Moreover, our emphasis on sustainability and green practices ensures that Victory Square becomes an ecological asset, contributing positively to the environment. In essence, the added value of our project is its ability to enrich the lives of our community members, stimulate economic growth, and promote sustainability—all while preserving our cultural heritage.

The general Idea of the architectural concept for the redesign of Victory Square and its surroundings is to strengthen the connection between Union Square and the riverbank along the Bega. Special attention is given to Victoriei Square, historically significant as the central square of Timișoara, in order to enhance its historical importance and character by preserving historical monuments and restoring lost or removed architecture.

We’ve embraced the forefront of sustainable infrastructure, advanced lighting systems, and environmentally conscious materials to guarantee both effectiveness and enduring quality. Our commitment to technical excellence ensures that the square not only meets contemporary standards but also stands the test of time, making it a smart investment for the future.

key monuments such as the “She-Wolf with Cubs”, the “Fountain with Fish”, the “Tree of Liberty”, and the “Crucifixion Monument”, all positioned along the central axes or the “King Ferdinand I” and “Queen Maria” position symmetrical to the central axes.

Vision: We aim to create an inviting environment that fosters community engagement, cultural events, and green spaces. By revitalizing the square and integrating sustainable infrastructure, and eco-conscious practices we envision Victorieri Square as a dynamic, green, and inclusive space that reflects the spirit of the city and enriches the lives of its residents and visitors.

The overall atmosphere and layout we envision are characterized by a harmonious blend of historical reverence and contemporary vitality. The layout is designed to facilitate a seamless flow of pedestrian and cultural activities. Victory Square is one of a dynamic urban center that preserves its historical roots while embracing the modern spirit of our city.

Our project brings economic benefits by attracting visitors and businesses to the area, bolstering local commerce. In essence, the added value of our project is its ability to enrich the lives of our community members, stimulate economic growth, and promote sustainability.