2023 Mamaia Seaside, Constanța

The jury evaluation of the projects submitted in the MAMAIA SEASIDE, Constanța International Design Competition, officially launched on 23rd of June 2023, took place between the 14th and 18th of September. The Competition was organized by the Romanian Order of Architects (OAR), together with the Contracting Authority – The National Administration ”Romanian Waters” in association with the Bazinal Water Administration Dobrogea-Litoral.

The main objective of the competition was to select, in order to award the design contract, the best project for the complex design of the beaches in the Mamaia resort, in the county of Constanta.  

The aim of the competition was to choose the best solution for the planning and development of the beach area, (1) in accordance with the nature and specific landscape of the Black Sea coast, (2) capable of integrating the elements of the built space, its specific activities and the necessary facilities, open to the accessibility of all categories of users, (3) that takes into account the principles of biodiversity and sustainability. This competition encourages creativity while supporting urban, landscape, and architectural research toward an integrated concept for the redesign of the current beach area.

The results of the competition were announced on Tuesday, 19th of September, at 13.00, during a conference hosted by the National Arena in Bucharest. The event was live streamed on the official Facebook page of the Organizer, OAR Competitions:

AWARDED PRIZES

1^st Prize – The estimated value of the design services contract, is 7,650,780 LEI (1,545,612 EUR) without VAT
2^nd Prize – 185.625 LEI (37.500 EUR) without VAT
3^rd Prize – 86.625 LEI (17.500 EUR) without VAT
1^st Mention – 24.750 LEI (5.000 EUR) without VAT
2^nd Mention – 24.750 LEI (5.000 EUR) without VAT
3^rd Mention – 24.750 LEI (5.000 EUR) without VAT

Following the Jury debates the winning projects were selected:

1^st PRIZE

Project no. 100 – MD1958 – STUDIO 82 SRL

Main author: Studio 82 SRL și Vlad Sebastian Rusu Birou Individual de Arhitectură
Coauthors: arch. Vlad Sebastian Rusu, arch. Octav Silviu Olănescu, arch. Andra Vlădoiu, arch. Andrada Pinte, arch. Petrică Maier-Drăgan
Speciality collaborators: landscape arch. Alexandru Mexi

“This scheme stood above every other one in the eyes of the jury for the clarity of its overall vision, its conviction about the master plan, the clear understanding about the site’s dynamics and its overall consistency with the competition objectives.

Based on reconnecting with the natural environment, its main concept is supported by a clear and insightful analysis of the evolution of the place – the relentless process of anthropization – and its characteristic phases. The jury particularly appreciated the consideration given in this scheme to the question of time as indicated in his precise diagrams and written statements. A multidimensional consideration of time is also appreciated for its inclusion of site history, natural dynamics and ecological succession, and the logistics of the phased naturalization process.” – appreciation of the Jury

2^nd PRIZE

Project no. 103 – PP1001 – PELINU PROJECTS SRL

Main author: Laura Cristea, Raphael Zuber – PELINU PROJECTS SRL
Coauthors: Christian Beros – BEROS ABDUL ARHITECTI ASOCIATI SRL, Anisia Mouhamed
Architectural collaborators: Adi Bratu, Erich Babă, Ana Brebeanu, Mădălina Dobre, Bianca Dumitru, Ana-Maria Marțiș, Raluca Mihăilă, Andreea Stah, Vera Apostolescu

“Starting with the title itself, this proposal makes a strong statement – “In-between Two Waters”. For the jury, this speaks to his comprehensiveness and very detailed approach to the entire Mamaia resort area. It is one of the few projects that analysed a wider geographical area, the ecosystem of the Danube Delta, lakes, plus geological characteristics and development.

The landscape proposal of the scheme is very well thought out and equally well structured from the existing promenade and its integration, to the idea of the forest, then the dunes to the coast itself. The planting strategy is very intelligent and well articulated with exceptional attention to detail such as species selected for specific soil conditions, exposure to humidity, wind or salt. The proposed dunes are protected by bushes and thorns to stabilize the vegetation. The planting grid is extremely suitable for immediate effect and subsequent maintenance.” – appreciation of the Jury

3^rd PRIZE

Project no. 104 – MM0809 – STARH – ARHITECTURA, CONSTRUCTII, DESIGN SRL

Main author: Maria-Iulia Stanciu, Florian Stanciu
Coauthors: Adelina Marin, Andrei Dobriță, Andrei Ivănuș, Tudor Stănilă, Radu Măldărescu, Cristina Ciobanu, Alexandra Stanciu, Tudor Lulciuc, Octavian Bârsan, Sebastian Ciulei, David Mihai, Diana Iordache
Speciality collaborators: landscape architect Nicolas Triboi

“The jury appreciated this scheme for its bold freshness of approach, great design sensibility and attention to craft. Relying on a matrix of entrance sand walls / walkways, its urban part emphasises the notion of a threshold while configuring sheltered gardens along the beach. The proposed swimming pool was evaluated as an intelligent answer on how to rebrand the historic bar on the casino island, while avoiding its reconstruction in a new environment.

Although the jury evaluated the scheme as daring and very suggestive and although the configuration of protected environments with the consequent implementation of microclimate seemed favorable for the creation of secluded gardens, its planting and landscape criteria were judged insufficiently developed.” – appreciation of the Jury

1^st MENTION

Project no. 107 – NT9321 – PRÁCTICA ARQUITECTURA Y URBANISMO SLP

Main author: PRÁCTICA ARQUITECTURA Y URBANISMO S.L.P. (Jaime Daroca, José Mayoral & José Ramón Sierra)
Architectural collaborators: Raul Brito, Sarah Aillón, Benjamin Santander, Blanca Amorós, Costan Svinti
Speciality collaborators: Juan Ramón Samanieg

“This project focuses on the re-naturalization of the coast of Mamaia by creating a new eco and bio-resilient environment rebuilding the endemic sand dunes on its waterfront. It should be commended that this is one of the few proposals that consider the entire area of the resort, including both waterfront – the sea and the lake. By doing that, the project attempts to reconnect the entire area, offering a new system of roads, trails, natural environments and built structures.” – appreciation of the Jury

2^nd MENTION

Project no. 110 – MA6848 – NORMA ARHITECTURĂ ȘI URBANISM SRL

Main author: Vlad Andrei Chiorean, Oana Antonia Filip, Alexandru Nicolae Fleșeriu, Andra Gabriela Hrenciuc, Miruna Moldovan, Péter Eszter, Radu Nicolae Stoica
Speciality collaborators: Manoilă Andreea, landscape architect; Cristian Tetelea

“The concept of restoring and further establishing a strong connection between the resort and its coastal strip is elaborated and articulated through the design of the many East-West pathways positioned intelligently as a continuation to the existing circulation of the resort and in some cases strengthening the functionality of existing structures through the newly created public space around them.

The proposal also offers a variety of public spaces and green typologies designed to fit different activities distributed sensibly along the coastal park which allows for a necessary balance in a park of such scale.” – appreciation of the Jury

3^rd MENTION

Project no. 117 – OS1337 – OUTBOX STUDIO SRL

Main author: OUTBOX STUDIO SRL
Coauthors: bucharest.studio
Architectural collaborators: arh. Ștefan Farmazon
Speciality collaborators: Dan Radu (landscape architect)

“The jury appreciated the presented project for its clear concept and intelligent design effectively altering the vast scale of the beach. The proposal presents a coherent longitudinal park that contains all the key amenities and extends towards the beach, outlining a series of intimate bays and natural alcoves along the beachfront. The integration of art into the project was noteworthy, as it tries to establish a sense of belonging, connecting visitors to the artistic cultural heritage of the seaside.“ – appreciation of the Jury

The Contracting Authority of the competition is The National Administration ”Romanian Waters” in association with the Bazinal Water Administration Dobrogea-Litoral, the administrator of the objective that will be the object of the investment, which will become the beneficiary of the project contracted as a result of this competition.

The competition is organized by the Romanian Order of Architects (OAR), in accordance with the OAR Good Practices Guide for Design Competitions (edited in Romanian – Ghidul de bune practici în organizarea concursurilor de soluții OAR, rev. 2022), in compliance with the provisions of the legislation in force regarding the award of public procurement contracts. The Design Competition is a public, single-stage competition, open to Romania, all countries of the European Union, of the European Economic Area, and to the Swiss Confederation. The design competition is organized as an independent procedure, in accordance with art. 105 letter b) of Law no. 98/2016 regarding public procurement, and subsequently, pursuant to provisions under art. 104 para. (7) of the same law, the design services contract is to be awarded to the winner of the competition, following a negotiation procedure without prior publication of a participation announcement.

COMPETITION JURY

Full Members:

• arch. urb. Irina Criveanu
• landscape arch. Ana Horhat
• arch. Igal Tartakovsky
• arch. Saša Begović
• arch. Rodrigo Perez de Arce A.
• arch. Silviu Aldea Răzvan Radu – Representative of AC

Deputy members:

• arch. Dan Leu
• Adrian Abrudan – Representative of AC

Apart from the jury, the following persons were present without voting rights:

• arch. Sorin Istudor – Professional Advisor;
• arch. Mirona Crăciun – OAR Competitions Counsellor, Competition Coordinator;
• arch. Raisa Parpală – OAR Competitions;
• urb. Louisiana Stoica – OAR Competitions.

Find out more on the official competition website:

For more news about our organization please follow the official Romanian Order of Architects Facebook page:

For the latest news on the competition follow our official OAR Competitions Facebook page:

press Contact:
e-mail: concursuri@oar.archi