2025 Tulcea Central Area, Tulcea

The jury evaluation of the projects submitted in the International Design Competition, ”Tulcea Central Area” officially launched on 7th of May 2025, took place between the 25^th and 28^th of July. The Competition was organized by the Romanian Order of Architects (OAR), with the support of Dobrogea Territorial Branch of OAR and the Contracting Authority – The Municipality of Tulcea.

The main objective of the competition was to select the best project for the design and modernization of the Central Area of Tulcea with the purpose of awarding the public procurement contract.

The Mircea cel Bătrân Square represents the social and administrative center of Tulcea Municipality, easily accessible from all sides of the city and directly connected spatially and historically to the Danube embankment. The competition aimed at a high-quality contemporary redesign of this space in the context of the urban regeneration of the city center and the strengthening of pedestrian connections with the Danube embankment, through the restoration of the Trei Fântâni (Three Fountains) area and the transformation Unirii Street into a pedestrial street. The competition stake was to formulate a public space design proposal that considers the current built heritage and the layers that history has deposited here. It was neccessary that the participants take into account all the needs of the studied area — housing; public administration; restaurants, cafes and confectioneries; small commercial spaces; leisure and entertainment; culture and civic life, etc. — to enhance and situate them in an urban platform for the subsequent coherent development of the entire central area of Tulcea. The results of the competition were announced on Tuesday, 29^th of July 2023, 1:00 PM, at Museum of the Traditional Fishing Village. The event was live streamed on the official Facebook page of the Organizer, OAR Competitions:

AWARDED PRIZES

1^st Place – the estimated value of the design services contract – 1.944.355 RON without VAT  (~ 390.940 EUR without VAT) 
2^nd Place – Prize in the amount of 99.470 RON without VAT (~ 20.000 EUR without VAT) 
3^rd Place – Prize in the amount of 49.735 RON without VAT (~ 10.000 EUR without VAT)
4^th Place – Prize in the amount of 12.434 RON without VAT – 1^st mention (~ 2.500 EUR without VAT)
5^th Place – Prize in the amount of 12.434 RON without VAT – 2^nd mention (~ 2.500 EUR without VAT)

Following the Jury debates the winning projects were selected:

1^st PRIZE

Project no. 109 – PUNCT BIROU DE ARHITECTURĂ SRL

Main authors: arch. Andrei Bacoșcă, arch. Mădălina Doroftei, arch. Ruxandra Grigoraș, arch. Lázár Csaba, arch. Mădălina Perju, arch. Daniel Șerban

”The project proposes the creation of a central park in the heart of the city. Its strength lies in the continuity of design, running from the river dike to Mircea Square. The square itself is re-proportioned into an open, human-scaled space that is both experiential and inclusive. The design demonstrates a clear stance and design language, respecting the existing urban fabric while introducing a self-confident architectural and landscape vocabulary. This approach has the potential to establish for both residents and visitors a strong new identity for the Tulcea Central Area, reinforcing the existing one.
A notable feature of the concept is its high flexibility regarding the placement of trees and green areas. This work provides an exemplary response to the pressing challenges of the climate crisis in our cities. By prioritizing environmental resilience, social inclusivity, and historical sensitivity, the design offers a compelling and implementable vision—albeit with potential cost considerations regarding the tree planting.
This project creates a new urban centre, open to the community of the city’s inhabitants and of the larger community of Dobroudja – multiethnic, multi-confessional communities, with specific activities and aspirations – and open to the increasingly numerous Romanian and foreign visitors and tourists. Thanks to this public initiative and through the organized international competition, the winning solution will redesign the new centre, which will become a symbol of modernity and innovation in Romania.” – appreciation of the Jury 

2^nd PRIZE

Project no. 112 – NORMA ARHITECTURA ȘI URBANISM SRL + BOCA ȘTEFANIA LILIANA – BIA + RECREATIV ARHITECTURA PEISAGERA SRL

Main authors: arch. Boca Ștefania Liliana, arch.  Fleșeriu Alexandru Nicolae, arch. Kotró-Kosztándi Anna, arch. Olteanu Alexandra, arch. Péter Alexandra, arch. Péter Eszter, arch. Uglea Claudia Andreea
Specialist collaborators: Water Management Specialist – Tetelea Cristian Demostene

 “The project stands out for its clear urban gesture and consistent design approach. In contrast to the treeless esplanade along the Danube, Mircea Square is envisioned as a vibrant green space, populated with a diverse mix of tree species. The newly proportioned square is designed to appear like a clearing within the “urban forest”, offering a strong spatial identity and sense of place.
The square is paved entirely with cobblestones, using a combination of reclaimed and new materials, ensuring durability, a high-quality aesthetic, but also emphasizing a commitment to local heritage.
The proposal demonstrates a deep understanding of the site, addressing its historical foundations while incorporating memory-based design gestures. The water management strategy and planting concept are well considered, creating a dialogue not only with the historic city but also with the modern urban context.” – appreciation of the Jury 

3^rd PRIZE

Project no. 116 – STUDIO 82 SRL

Main authors: arch. Octav Silviu Olănescu, arch. Anamaria Olănescu, arch. Andrada Maier-Drăgan, arch. Petrică Maier-Drăgan, arch. Oana Antonia Filip

 “This project demonstrates a notable lightness and acceptance in dealing with existing structures and conditions. The competition requirements—such as surface unsealing and improving the quality of public spaces—are addressed with striking simplicity and are convincingly integrated into the urban context, to the point that the proposal can be read as a continuation of the existing city fabric.
A positive element is the redesign of the “Three Fountains” area, where the existing staircase is replaced by a generous ramp, improving accessibility.
The proposal strengthens Tulcea’s identity by redesigning Mircea cel Bătrân Square as an urban element that respects and continues the city’s character. The redesign creates several high-quality spaces around the square, providing a refined urban experience.” – appreciation of the Jury 

1^st MENTION

Project no. 123 -ALT. CORP. ARCHITECTS SRL + SHAFT A.D. SRL

Main authors: ALT. CORP. (arch. Cosmin O. Gălățianu, arch. Cristian Beșliu, arch. Cosmin Georgescu, arch. Andrei Theodor Ioniță, arch. Octavian Bîrsan) + SHAFT (arch. Alexandru Moldovan, arch. Andrei Barbu)
Co-authors: arch. Andrei Mitrea, landscape arch. Alexandru Gheorghe

”This project is commended for its conceptually robust approach. The reference to the spatial organization system specific to the modernist project is not aesthetic, but rather programmatic. The 7X7 grid becomes a unifying rule for the organization of the territory, which is made up of a mosaic of spatial typologies. This rigorous system is underpinned by a richness of subsequent layers and a consistent design language applied across the site, from the overall spatial organization down to the meticulous design of materials. The thoughtful details and bespoke furniture successfully create a new identity for the city with a subtle relation to Tulcea`s industrial heritage.” – appreciation of the Jury

2^nd MENTION

Project no. 103 – DE PLANO SRL

Main authors: arch. Emil Burbea-Milescu, arch. Laura-Maria Covaci, arch. Radu-Tudor Ponta
Architectural collaborators: arch. Lidia Danil, arch. Ana-Maria Botez, arch. Vlad-Ioan Buhu, arch. Rareş David, arch. Ioana Gheorghiţă, arch. Alexandru Mihalescu, arch. Tudor-Lazăr Ştreangă

“The project demonstrates a comprehensive and well-founded conceptual approach. Special praise is due for the high-quality stormwater management strategy, which extends beyond the competition site to cover the entire city. The proposed “blue-green infrastructure” integrates topography, hydrology, and existing infrastructure to offer forward-looking and sustainable responses to extreme weather events.
The three-row tree layout on Unirii Street is especially noteworthy: rain gardens are integrated alongside the outer rows, contributing to both ecological function and visual identity.” – appreciation of the Jury 

HONORABLE MENTION

Project no. 110 -ATELIER MENOU SRL + SFERA ARHITECTURA SRL

Main authors: Arch. Moldovan Miruna, Arch. Bucin Adrian-Ovidiu, Arch. Sabău Alexandru, Arch.  Sabău Ioana-Andreea, Arch. Simedru Patricia Sabina, Arch. Buz Alexandra-Mara
Architectural collaborators: Arch. Ciubotariu Cosmin, Stud. Arch. Dâscă Sabrina-Ioana, Arch. Sabou Iulia Lorena

”This project is recognized with an honorary mention for its sensitive and deep vision. Its main drive is to humanize the vast, rigid socialist-era spaces by creating a rich tapestry of historical and ecological layers. It successfully proposes a new spatial and functional matrix that aims to regain the human scale by introducing more intimate and diverse spaces through subtle shifts in topography and a nuanced landscape strategy.”  – appreciation of the Jury 

The Contracting Authority of the competition is The Municipality of Tulcea, the beneficiary of the project which will be contracted following the 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 a) 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. 

The competition jury was selected from experts with international experience, including architects and urbanists from four countries:

Full members:

• arch. Andreea Catrinel Matache – Representative of the Contracting Authority, chief architect (RO)
• arch. Ana Maria Zahariade (RO)
• arch. Laura Cristea (RO)
• arch. urb. Irina Popescu-Criveanu (RO)
• arch. Gustavo Figueira Serrano (ES)
• landscape arch. Jörg Michel (DE)
• landscape arch. Barnabás Ede Szakács (HU)

Deputy members:

• arch. Alexandru Axinte (RO)
• eng. Simion Tănase (RO)

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

• arch. Sorin-Nicolae Istudor – Professional Advisor; 
• arch. Mirona Crăciun – OAR Competitions Counsellor, Competition Coordinator; 
• arch. Raisa Parpală – OAR Competitions; 
• urb. Louisiana Stoica – OAR Competitions
• arch. José Peralta Guerrero – 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: [email protected]