Niu. Beach

Authors’ Comment

Niu Beach recreates the map of Constanța on a smaller scale, bringing with it the ethnic and cultural diversity that shaped the city. The project introduces a dynamic space to Constanța’s coastline, designed as a sequence of experiences that begins at the beach entrance and ends at the water’s edge. Along the way, visitors discover the cultural contributions of the communities that have lived in the city and remain part of it today. These influences are not referenced literally, but translated into forms, textures, and scents, engaging all the senses.
The route unfolds through a series of key moments, connected by a common theme: humour. The reception and entrance area introduce a sense of mystery. From the outside, the design is anonymous, sparking curiosity, while the space gradually reveals its personality from within: colourful characters, Ottoman-inspired rugs, and modern materials such as mirror and glass.
What connects the spaces is the interplay between the familiar and the unexpected. Crochet doilies, objects almost everyone recognises from their grandparents’ homes, become the project’s defining texture. Behind the bar, a communist-era display cabinet serves as a backbar, while a mirror echoes its outline on a much larger scale. The speakers are also covered in crochet, allowing them to blend into the décor. The bar is clad in marble, contrasting with the raw wood used throughout the rest of the beach.
The striped changing cabins recall Italian beaches. The lounge area is defined by lace curtains from Pașcani and covered with dozens of rugs that bring together motifs from the city’s many cultures.
The result is a beach unlike others along Constanța’s coastline, yet one where every corner feels familiar.