Market Study

The market study, my diploma project, is situated in the Berceni neighborhood of Bucharest.

Its purpose is to re-organise the existing market into a modern space and time efficient entity able to accommodate both daytime bazaar-type commerce and nighttime bars, while at the same time provide accomodation for the sellers, storage, parking, shops and offices.

Its goals are: better selling environment, provide loisir space, provide green space, provide a refreshing image in the intersection.

The layout is an intermediate type between the traditional layout of the area, still existing between the communist-era apartment buildings, and the latter. It is composed of irregular Voronoi-generated cells coagulated between three main covered plazas. These plazas are the main selling areas of the market and also a pedestrian shortcut for the commuter traffic between the bus/tram/metro interchange area of the intersection (north of the site) and several residential areas (west, south-west and south of the site). The overall configuration is based on the introverted layout of the traditional inns that presented an unitary image on the outside and developed an intricate interior, exacerbated here by the irregular cells.

The overall image is a mix between clear streamline shapes and vertical colored sun shades, thus offering an easy-to-remember shape with much-needed color in the area. The intersection section rises above the ground to act as an entry gate signaling the existence of the building from a distance at the same time providing space for an art exhibition space facing north for even light and looking towards the intersection and the Vacaresti Bvd., an irony towards the dulness of the area and the city itself (traffic).

The building is organized as follows:
– underground: storage, parking and technical rooms;
– ground floor: shops, bars, restaurants, plazas and exhibition center;
– first floor: administration offices, conference room, gardens, hostel and hostel restaurant;
– roof terrace: solar and photovoltaic panels;
– intersection section: art exhibition centre;

The building is mostly self-sufficient, producing most of its electricity, all its water, heating, and air filtering. Air flow is natural, based upon heating towers and vacuum created by expanding hot air. Fresh air is pre-filtered in the garden area and then sent into the building, having also a heat-recovery system for winter. The building is also designed to respect the Passive House regulations of less than 15 kWh/m²per year energy consumption.

Coordinator: prof. dr. arh. Mihai Opreanu

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