Location:

Buzău

Text de prezentare a lucrării:

Being located in my hometown, Buzau, I thought about this revival as an enhancement for this town in terms of cultural activation based, on one hand, on tradition and memory of this place and, on the other, on innovation through the new proposed interventions. At the end of the 19th century this ensemble was part of a noble residence that belonged to Alexandru Marghiloman (a political figure of those times – he was the Prime Minister of Romania in 1918. Being a riding enthusiast, he was also the vice-president of the Romanian Jockey Club. Here, he developed, besides his main residence, Albatros Villa, a series of facilities related to equestrian sport. In those days, this residence was a living example of an equestrian park. It had stables for horses and an equestrian alley used for horseback riding, which are still present today, but they are in a poor condition. Counting on the memory and the history of this place, I considered that the equestrian tradition, developed here one century ago, could be brought back in a contemporary version, reviving the entire estate. I think that a cultural intervention would be the right approach based on the history of this site. This revival is possible through new modern functions and buildings that will generate new leisure activities for the citizens. There will be educational activities through the presence of an Equestrian Museum, and also will be entertainment activities through the existence of an Equestrian Center. These new activities are not limited only to Buzau citizens, but go beyond the city level and also reach the national and international audience. This cultural activation would be possible by re-designing the park, following the historical shape. The purpose of this is to link the three main components of the estate: the Albatros Villa, the Equestrian Museum and the Equestrian Center, highlighting the centrality of the historical building, Albatros Villa. Using a minimal design that fits with the other buildings, my proposal easily blends natural elements making a smooth transition from the nearby green areas to the rooftop, this way having a topographical approach. With this project I want to shed some light on Marghiloman’s heritage, but also give new ways to engage with it through the new modern functions, especially through the Equestrian Museum. This would put Buzau back on the touristic map, being the only city with a museum of this kind in our country.