Constanța History and Archeology Museum the New Gallery

Authors’ Comment

I chose this theme not only because Constanta is my hometown but also because museums, for me, are the key to a city, and few of Constanta's museums and cultural spaces can compare with contemporary examples, especially considering the cultural and touristic potential of the coastline. Thus, through this project, I aim to synchronize Constanta's museum program with international standards, showcase the city's history, create new opportunities for interactive education, and host various temporary exhibitions for both residents and tourists to increase interest in the city's history and archaeology, to discover more about what Constanta truly represents.
The purpose of the New Gallery is to reactivate the western slope of the Peninsula and to increase the interest in history and archaeology, thereby enhancing the cultural vitality of Constanța. The project expands the museum network in the city center and completes the pedestrian route. The ensemble consists of three pavilions: two developed along the cliff to consolidate the eroding slope and blend into the natural landscape, and a third volume extending from the ruins of the Roman Therme, which it protects and showcases. The Mosaic Pavilion, located next to the Roman Mosaic Edifice, houses the permanent treasury exhibition; the Ovidiu Pavilion includes halls for temporary exhibitions, a conference room, and workshops for visitors; and the Therme Pavilion contains the permanent exhibition dedicated to the Roman Therme and the objects discovered during construction. The materiality of the project—apparent pigmented concrete, metal, and glass—reflects the materials and colors found in neighboring buildings, such as the Roman Mosaic Edifice. These elements create a poetics of materiality, being juxtaposed, tectonic, and transparent. The pavilions are connected to the outside through buffer spaces, liminal spaces, porticos, patios, or urban pockets that facilitate the transition from indoor to outdoor space. Through the harmonious integration of exhibition and functional spaces into the existing landscape and the enhancement of archaeological remains, the project aims to enrich the cultural experience of both residents and tourists.