Architecture Degree Programme at “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urban Planning

The Faculty of Architecture / Architecture (English taught)
3rd Year, sem 2, 2024-2025

IT-12E | Modern and Contemporary Architecture in Romania

Compulsory Course | Hours/Week: 2C | ECTS Credits: 3

Marks exam session june-july 2025:

Marks, 3rd year:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jlhnLPHCt7ppMVlenkJzQyhnwHc-B39M/view?usp=drive_link
Marks, exam remake:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bc2qW8-xH6C1jhlRP5ZeONPBWYioFOh_/view?usp=drive_link

General observations:
To pass the exam is required minimum 5,00 (marks between 4,50 and 4,99 are not accepted as passing grades).
Regarding multiple choice questions, incomplete or partially complete answers lead to a downgrade of 0,15 points according to the number of mistakes. For example, for a question with two correct answers, choosing a single answer was marked with 0,35 points, choosing a correct answer and an incorrect answer was marked with 0,20 points out of 0,50 total points.
July 10th 2025, is the deadline for notifications regarding possible misrecordings of the marks in the Catalogue. In this regard, students are asked to address the course e-mail address it12amcr3@gmail.com. Students may consult their exam papers on Friday, July 11th, at the Department of History and Theory of Architecture and Heritage Conservation. For efficient time management, students are asked to announce their intention to consult the papers writing on the course e-mail address (it12amcr3@gmail.com), no later than July 10th 2025, 17.00. According to the number of students a schedule will be posted on the course page July 10th after 17.00.

Course evaluation form

IT-12 E_Modern and Contemporary Architecture in Romania
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOoUOHITyXFlqyvHnwORC103ItL9KwWudQLV8vq1f6Q5Ou3g/viewform

Course materials - new format

19th century town development:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wdgoyp4ZKsZf3qECTCeLqB2WVQssf6Vn/view?usp=drive_link
19th century architectural typologies:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YPGrPFjMV76Im17x_2phMlV7J_mXbx9Z/view?usp=drive_link
19th century aesthetics:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hDElu0OIp7HkkF0roe_B6Hnks-Y1AUR9/view?usp=drive_link
intewar town development:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13EfBB9RXalRVncxyWPuGuIJx3CIlD1hO/view?usp=drive_link
interwar architectural typologies and aesthetics:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AiizvVGQI-vCKEiEgzoolZMAH6P7-knU/view?usp=drive_link
postwar town development:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OTqr7KPFIgeTRshRMseLUO75m5Ie9jxx/view?usp=drive_link
postwar architectural typologies and aesthetics:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dZuxIJXJpCN1hJORodw72yPSeQWmh9g-/view?usp=drive_link
The materials above cover the entire course (12 lectures)

Syllabus

FA-E IT-12E Modern and Contemporary Architecture in Romania.pdf
Department:
History & Theory of Architecture and Heritage Conservation
Course Leader:
conf.dr.arh. Irina Tulbure-Moldovan
Teaching language:
English
Learning outcomes:
To understand the historical developments in architecture and the urban changes within the wider landscape of cultural, social and technological changes that took place in Romania in late 19th century until the end of 20th century;
To be able to define (according to the historical context) the dynamics of the local / national thinking and practice in architecture in relation with the broader context of the global architectural culture;
To develop a set of conceptual and visual tools in analyzing architectural heritage.
Content:
This course provides an introduction to the history of modern architecture in Romania during the second half of 19th century until the end of 20th century. In order to create a more articulate vision of the architectural phenomenon, the course will explore the broader historical and cultural context emphasizing its role in the development of the architectural thinking and practice.
The lecture structure take into consideration a rough delimitation of the three main periods in the modern Romanian history of architecture: influences of the western architecture and the seek for a new expression during the late 19th century up until the beginning of the First World War; the variety of architectural directions and the assimilation of modernism in the Interwar period; the profound changes in architecture brought by the communist political system. Nuances and exceptions within the architectural development during these major periods will be discussed over the lectures, such as: the importance of the national style up until the end of the Second World War and its inner evolution; the emerge of a monumental style in the 1940s as a consequence of the political regime; the balance between modern and totalitarian architecture in the period that followed the end of the Second World War.
Each of the three main periods (1859-1918; 1918-1945; 1945-1989) will be discussed through different approaches: the general historical context, the particular context of the professional field, the transformations of the city, architectural typologies, aesthetic directions in architecture and a final particular approach based on particular case studies.
Teaching Method:
This is mainly a lecture course (based on visual presentations) with the opportunity for questions, discussions.
For the English language group, the course is scheduled on
Mondays, 12.30-14.30
Assessment:
WRITTEN EXAM DURING THE EXAM SESSION


Bibliography:
BOCĂNEȚ, Anca, “Marcel Janco – Architect” in Bucharest in the 1920-1940. Between Avant – garde and Modernism, Ed. Simetria, Bucharest, 1994, pp. 97-103
CRITICOS, Mihaela, „Deco Architecture in Romania” in Art-Deco or Well-Tempered Modernism, Ed. Simetria, Bucharest, 2009, pp. 232-252: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DVaT-QCI8mPyNSkDrYS7afpC6gJKk8g8/view?usp=sharing
HITCHINS, Keith, A concise History of Romania, Cambridge University Press, 2014:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BRSJnPYV_Q3wS4Fz4jvHUUdfn-iaLU75/view?usp=drive_link
KALLESTRUP, Shona, „Cradle of the Nation? National Style Debates and Romanian Palace Design” in ANDRIEUX Jean-Yves, CHEVALLIER Fabienne & KERVANTO NEVANLINNA Anja, Ideé Nationale et Architecture En Europe 1860-1919, Presses Universitaires de Rennes, 2006, pp. 303-313
KALLESTRUP, Shona, Art and Design in Romania 1866-1927, Columbia University Press, 2006 (fragment)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CKr0yNMqf53v888UiEoQQBlrpwp5xPpk/view?usp=drive_link
MACHEDON, Luminița, MACHEDON Florin, „Modern Architecture in Romania 1920-1940” in in Bucharest in the 1920-1940. Between Avant – garde and Modernism, Ed. Simetria, Bucharest, 1994, pp. 69-90: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UYNxMyzvWx3RCiJoEv2WQUhtQ0RfFF7a/view?usp=drive_link
MACHEDON, Luminița; SCOFFHAM Ernie, Romanian Modernism, The Architecture of Bucharest 1920-1940, MIT UPress, 1999: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19jWomAiJ_NTEzEW_-5xX4Sbkrmz_JGZD/view?usp=drive_link
POPESCU CARMEN, Spațiul Modernității Românești/ The Space of Romanian Modernity, Ed. Simetria, 2011: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G2f1bk40K16tDjK9Bm2JrWJh9o8t1P8d/view?usp=drive_link
TULBURE, Irina, WHat is a House of Culture Today? (2016): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JvT4Dk2C7uwzC_WtohVlvNiwYjApwlUm/view?usp=drive_link
TULBURE, Irina, The Romanian City and its Centre (2019): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_7KxSewOneuAdZRnXPXFyJjJCDd3XyAC/view?usp=drive_link
ZAHARIADE, Ana Maria, Architecture in the Communist Project. Romania 1944-1989, Ed. Simetria, Bucharest, 2011, pp. 23-75:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-RkEJax92kx_c-MIeUSPJddGuPO7PdyR/view?usp=drive_link
ZAHARIADE, Ana Maria, LASCU, Nicolae, “Horia Creangă’s Architecture” in Bucharest in the 1920-1940. Between Avant – garde and Modernism, Ed. Simetria, Bucharest, 1994, pp. 104-109
YEROLYMPOS, Alexandra, Urban Transformations in the Balkans (1820-1920), University Studio Press, 1996
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HGXMe_44hMOWMRPWMjDmb3M72aPRSZrp/view?usp=drive_link
Notes:
SLIDES are available here:
LECTURE 1 (introduction): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ff4Ps21mZBvuVBfjrhTvh0MSn9v4r-EB/view?usp=drive_link
LECTURE 2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mu10kJ0CK-bNWXE5s68Oe4-7txwZqeI4/view?usp=drive_link
LECTURE 3: https://drive.google.com/file/d/189xMhhi6kyyv8TpO5k_O31EiJAmcyth8/view?usp=drive_link
LECTURE 4:https://drive.google.com/file/d/10DeywbAPJI_iLdn665bl3RuhqiO37g3K/view?usp=drive_link
LECTURE 5: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g9qAKZCzXDDhIN0zeGonfGbNCrqa3J1R/view?usp=drive_link
LECTURE 6:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tx-MGMLh-LjzBx6w1TU6URE-L70cPOtG/view?usp=drive_link
LECTURE 7: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nh49otAk6tTz72x2fcjKYcRS9cWKBSr3/view?usp=drive_link
LECTURE 8:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QKSme9SKkrOn1Qsy-F--dlzuwpPA6Ngj/view?usp=drive_link
LECTURE 9:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GDC_jlZKXWRutJ8hfnwRcJwUMxn2O7BZ/view?usp=drive_link
LECTURE 10:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ubIJsrwN57XM2xQk8ayortHV0BUUenuW/view?usp=drive_link
LECTURE 11:https://drive.google.com/file/d/153fzugmpsoHgxVvHzEN8cfa8RQiPt1Ji/view?usp=drive_link
LECTURE 12:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1npJsJySK_CBipwvJhjyMP-JwxZANte4i/view?usp=drive_link
LECTURE 13:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C3pj-qOL1oNzkCfT-oBKoBohdL8s5xca/view?usp=drive_link