The rehabilitation and extension of the Știrbei Palace in Bucharest. Relocation of the National Museum of Contemporary Art

Authors’ Comment

The diploma project proposes a revitalisation of the Știrbei Palace on Calea Victoriei in Bucharest. This is achieved through the restoration and conversion of the historical monument and the extension of the complex, in order to allow the relocation of the National Museum of Contemporary Art. The location of the project, on the cultural axis of Bucharest contributes both to the accessibility to the general public, and new opportunities regarding urban regeneration of the area. The proposal follows a non-intrusive approach and volumetric conformity to meet the symbolic, contextual, social and functional needs of the ensemble. Through the proposed layout, the aim of the project is to make the most out of an unstructured urban fabric, to create a landmark within the society, to give coherence to public space and to give a platform to contemporary art for the expression of social, cultural and political ideas.
The intervention aims to adapt the space of Știrbei Palace to the institution’s defining functions, and the layout of the new building defines the exhibition space for both permanent and temporary collections, as well as a series of complementary functions. The unbuilt space aims to adapt itself in line with current social needs, in order to bring the 19th century architecture into the contemporary. Thus, the proposal creates a coherent ensemble, but also obtains an example of iconic architecture, which will provide a contemporary asset to Calea Victoriei.