Back-Alley Front Stage in Romania

First independent theater

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    First independent theater, Bucharest, Romania

    The positioning of the project in the landscape and how it will integrate in the historic quarter, once known as “Montmartre of Bucharest”. G53 will be a link between the history of Bucharest and future artist community. “To build or not to be” – Chris Simion. The current façades will be integrated into the new building. The current design respects the historical and architectural requirements in place today.

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    First independent theater, Bucharest, Romania

    Current building at 53 Grivita Street. G53 will be more than a cultural hub; it will contribute to the rehabilitation of a historical site of Bucharest. G53 will be an example that will be followed by other members of the community. This will enlarge Bucharest’s cultural area, which today is concentrated in the city center. Beside all objective argumentation, there is also a strong symbolism, a few hundred meters away was the first theater ever built in Bucharest: Cismeaua Rosie.

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    First independent theater, Bucharest, Romania

    Basement of G53 project.

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    First independent theater, Bucharest, Romania

    Ground floor of G53 project.

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    First independent theater, Bucharest, Romania

    Situation plan of the site.

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    First independent theater, Bucharest, Romania

    An example of nowadays situation of the in situ. G53 project will give back to Bucharest the building.

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    First independent theater, Bucharest, Romania

    Current situation – façade view.

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    First independent theater, Bucharest, Romania

    Current situation – courtyard view.

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    LafargeHolcim Awards 2017 for Europe prize handover ceremony, Marseille

    Winners of a LafargeHolcim Awards Acknowledgement prize (l-r): Tiberiu Mercurian and Chris Simion-Mercurian, Ascociata Culturala Grivita 53 with Codrin Tritescu, Arhitecture Office Codrin Tritescu for Back-Alley Front Stage, First independent theater, Bucharest, Romania.

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    First independent theater, Bucharest, Romania

    The authors on site in early 2017.a

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    First independent theater, Bucharest, Romania

    Integration of old façases into the future building.

  • Awards Acknowledgement prize 2017–2018 Europe

Back-Alley Front Stage: A community-supported independent theater in Bucharest, Romania – the first since 1946 – that transforms a dilapidated plot into a cultural venue.

By Tiberiu Mercurian, Chris Simion-Mercurian - Asociatia Culturala Grivita 53, Bucharest, Romania; Codrin Tritescu, Petre Frangulea - Architect Office Codrin Tritescu, Bucharest, Romania and

Ideas: Urban Requalification

First independent theater: Within a historic quarter of Bucharest, this project transforms a dilapidated plot into the first independent theater in the city since 1946.

It will house a theater company that has been operating without a dedicated space since 1999, anchoring a cultural institute into the city fabric it wishes to engage.

Back-Alley Front Stage in Romania

Project authors

  • LafargeHolcim Awards 2017 for Europe prize handover ceremony, Marseille
    Tiberiu Mercurian

    Asociatia Culturala Grivita 53

    Romania

  • LafargeHolcim Awards 2017 for Europe prize handover ceremony, Marseille
    Codrin Tritescu

    Architect Office Codrin Tritescu

    Romania

  • LafargeHolcim Awards 2017 for Europe prize handover ceremony, Marseille
    Chris Simion-Mercurian

    Asociatia Culturala Grivita 53

    Romania

  • Petre Frangulea

    Architect Office Codrin Tritescu

    Romania

  • AA
    Alexandra Ardeleanu

    Architect Office Codrin Tritescu

    Romania

  • AM
    Adina Mastalier

    Asociatia Culturala Grivita 53

    Romania

Project updates

September 28, 2017 | Winners of the Holcim Awards 2017 for Europe | Marseille, France

Sustainability – systematic and multi-functional

Holcim Awards 2017 for Europe prize handover ceremony, Marseille

The days when the sustainability of a construction project was a matter of ad hoc measures are over – sustainable construction has become systematic and specific. This was emphatically shown by the results of the Holcim Awards in region Europe: The first prize was shared by two projects in Brussels, both of which excel in terms of their multi-functionality.

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June 03, 2017 | Regional Jury Report – Europe | Lausanne, Switzerland

“A strong statement on the cultural component of sustainability”

First independent theater, Bucharest, Romania

Within a historic quarter of Bucharest, this project transforms a dilapidated plot into the first independent theater in the city since 1946. It will house a theater company that has been operating without a dedicated space since 1999, anchoring a cultural institute into the city fabric it wishes to engage. An initial design proposal envisions placing the 150-seat theater below ground and maintaining the façades of the existing buildings on the plot within a slim volume.

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March 21, 2017 | Statements on the sustainability of the project by the author | Bucharest, Romania

Project Entry 2017 for Europe

First independent theater, Bucharest, Romania

Innovation and transferability

An innovative project. Energy effectiveness: the main functional spaces (theater, rehearsal hall & actors’ cabins) are below ground zero and more efficient to heat). In order to maximize the usage of the plot and at the same time respect legal requirements we are talking here about an architectural innovation. Building below ground zero: the building will respect outside the design of the area, helping the conservation of the architectural heritage of the area. It will include historical facades of the current buildings.

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Related information

Links and downloads:

Location

pin Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest, Romania

Videos

Back-Alley Front Stage: Acknowledgement 2017 Europe – Project Overview

Back-Alley Front Stage: Acknowledgement 2017 Europe – Project Overview

“A Place for Artists & Writers” – Sustainable design by Asociata Culturala Grivita 53

“A Place for Artists & Writers” – Sustainable design by Asociata Culturala Grivita 53