Archaeological Research Institute Constanța

Authors’ Comment

Constanța is one of Romania’s oldest cities, with a history spanning over 2,500 years, originally founded by Greek colonists as Tomis. Its cultural heritage is profoundly valuable, encompassing relics from the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and medieval periods. Despite this, the city’s archaeological wealth faces growing threats.

Rapid and unregulated urban expansion is currently endangering numerous unprotected or unexplored archaeological sites. Many discoveries during construction work have been destroyed, buried, or neglected due to the absence of a dedicated system for monitoring and rapid response.

The study area lies at the edge of the peninsula, between the urban plateau and the economic port. It includes significant remnants, such as the Roman Mosaic Edifice. While this structure benefits from protective infrastructure, most other ruins remain exposed to natural degradation and human negligence.

In the last five years, the growing number of discoveries signals a clear trend: as the city develops, more archaeological sites are uncovered. This puts increasing pressure on institutions responsible for research and conservation, which are already strained by limited space and outdated infrastructure. The lack of modern facilities severely hampers their ability to conduct scientific research at appropriate standards.

Against this backdrop, the creation of a new archaeological center in central Constanța becomes essential—not only to preserve existing heritage, but also to manage future finds. Placing the center in a historically rich area would allow quick access to key sites, enabling efficient supervision and timely interventions.

The proposed project envisions a multifunctional space dedicated to research, conservation, and public engagement. A key feature will be the integration and enhancement of the Roman bath ruins—a significant landmark for both the local community and the national heritage. The intervention respects and emphasizes the archaeological remains, incorporating them harmoniously into a new architectural framework.

The building massing continues the plateau of the historic center through a walkable platform that forges a clear connection to the surrounding urban fabric. This platform acts as both a symbolic and physical link between the park and the ruin, reclaiming space for public use. The ground floor is conceived as an open public area, dedicated to showcasing the ruins, while the upper levels will host research and documentation facilities, accessible to both scholars and the local community.

In the long term, expanding the public area toward the port will lay the foundation for future cultural and social initiatives that will complement the proposed intervention. This will strengthen the role of the ruins as a catalyst for urban regeneration.

Volumetrically, the new construction acknowledges and frames the existing ruins, establishing a strong architectural presence within the peninsula. The corner articulation emphasizes the current visual perspectives, while the building footprint follows and protects the contours of the uncovered Roman Baths ensemble, ensuring their preservation and public appreciation.