Casandra – from the memory of the place to a promising future: an initiatory journey of transformation

Authors’ Comment

The project proposes the adaptive reuse of the former Casandra Theatre, located on Strada Franceză no. 9, into a multifunctional center dedicated to women and the local community. The intervention reactivates a building with strong historical and symbolic value in the urban landscape of Bucharest. The design is rooted in the concept of "memory of the place," understood both as historical layering and emotional imprint, aiming to reintegrate this space into a new cycle of social, functional, and cultural life.

The architectural intervention creates a unified ecosystem comprising: a flexible theatre space, a community support and counseling center, a shop selling products inspired by the site's heritage (jewelry and artisanal crafts), and a temporary shelter for women in vulnerable situations. This new configuration is based on the idea of regeneration through care, memory, and collective participation.

The core concept is transformation through the preservation and reinterpretation of memory. The space becomes an initiatory journey, where the past is a resource for healing, reconstruction, and the restoration of personal and collective dignity. Architecture acts as an active backdrop that supports identity and belonging both for the individuals housed in the shelter and for the wider community engaging with the space. Each function is embedded in a coherent spatial narrative where past and present experiences coexist and enrich one another.

Architecturally, the intervention combines timeless materials such as corten steel, travertine, and natural textiles with salvaged elements from the theatre’s original scenography, building a bridge between the past and present. The existing mosaics and stained glass are restored transforming their imperfections into powerful witnesses of time. Reused vintage furniture is reinterpreted and integrated into the new functions, reinforcing the continuity of the site’s story.

The foyer becomes an interactive and permeable space where the public can explore the theatre’s history, attend workshops, and engage with the local artistic and social community. The stage platform is adaptable, accommodating various activities from performances and screenings to community meetings and educational events.

The living spaces are designed with care, offering transitional housing for women in crisis. These rooms are more than shelter they provide a safe, warm, and dignified environment that supports the healing process and the rebuilding of personal identity. Each room is subtly personalized, creating a domestic atmosphere that respects the intimacy and individuality of each resident.

The project envisions architecture as a tool for social, cultural, and emotional reactivation, integrating it into a support system based on empathy, memory, and public engagement. Through this reconversion, the former Casandra Theatre regains its civic vocation and becomes an active node in the network of cultural and social spaces in Bucharest’s historic center.

This work offers an architectural vision grounded in memory, adaptability, and healing, reaffirming the potential of the built environment to generate meaning, belonging, and resilience within fragile yet resourceful urban contexts.