‘Tudor Jarda’ School of Folk Art’s ‘Site’ hall was conceived as a platform suitable for theatre performances, conferences, fashion shows, concerts, exhibitions, workshops, cocktails or various fairs. The hall is situated at the ground floor of the 1970’s extension of a 19th century building from Cluj-Napoca. Even though the building was part of the eclectic ensemble that functioned as Royal Correctional Institute, at the beginning of 20th century, it had various functions over time (e.g. cart repair shop, hospital).
The multifuctionality of the main hall was solved by a combination of fixed and mobile systems, therefore, most of the budget was allocated to the technical infrastructure and equipments. The mobile systems and the stage allow the school to operate outside its physical boundaries, wherever and whenever there is a need or an opportunity. In so doing the school is also able to generate operational funds.
Considering the historical path of the building, a ‘minimal interventions with maximal effects‘ concept was applied. The idea was to ‘return to the origins’ and to work with/reveal the construction’s elements, such as the exposed historical brick masonry and 1970’s concrete ceiling structure. The added elements were the hardwood oak floor, the acoustic wall made of oak veneered MDF panels, the hardwood oak window frames and the fireproofed velvet curtains and drapes. These elements and the carefully chosen chromatics and materiality underline the historical side of the hall outlining the genuineness of the historical materials.
One of ateliercetrei’s main preoccupations, both a dilemma and a challenge, are the concepts of identity and tradition and the possible relationship[s] between the two. Therefore, the main identitary element of the hall is the custom perforated MDF acoustic wall, based on a graphical interpretation of the traditional Romanian folk stitching technique, called ‘lunceţ de unsprezece’ or ‘albina’ (the bee), found on the sleeve of the famous ‘blouse roumaine’.
The interior design of ‘Tudor Jarda’ School of Folk Art’s ‘Site’ hall functioned like a ‘capsule type’ intervention in a building that is part of Cluj-Napoca’s industrial architectural heritage, leading, due to its success, to the rehabilitation of the entire building.
Design Team: Anamaria Moldovan, Paul-Mihai Moldovan, Florin-Vasile Lazar
Collaborators: CSP Proiect Line
Design Year: 2011
Status: Completed
Execution | Completion year: 2013
Location: Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Gross area: 240 sqm
General Contractor: S.C. Rares Constructii S.R.L.
Text: ateliercetrei
Photographer[s]: Ovidiu Micsa, 'Tudor Jarda' School of Folk Art's Archive