MANIFESTO

This project aims to define the theoretical and conceptual basis of a Motorsport Excellence Centre, designed as a complex architectural program, representative for the whole European region, whilst maintaining a realistic approach at an urban level, related to Bucharest's current and future issues.
The concept is based on the need to exceed the race track function and to offer a much broader range of activities. Thus, besides the sports side, the centre will simultaneosly perform 3 other functions: representation at regional level, education through other related fields, and leisure. The project’s development phases will be based on capacity and volume considerations (extension and hyper-specialization of spaces that may, initially, be multifunctional).
The Formula 1 race track design is based on the famous Transfăgărășan, symbolizing resilience and the urban/nature fusion.

BUCHAREST

The starting point of the analysis process was a 360 degree perspective on the periphery as a support interface for Bucharest, the nucleus of a productive interurban system. The study starts with the identification of the morpho-functional characteristics of the neighboring localities. The first conclusion is that the South of the capital is the area with the greatest opportunity for such a project, from the investment point of view, as well as considering the actors involved. The spatial point of view, its connectivity at regional level and the ability to restructure a problematic, neglected larger area were also key factors in choosing the intervention site.
The proposed study area is located on the outskirts of Berceni neighbourhood. The site is bordered to the West by the Progresu industrial platform, towards East by Bd. Metalurgiei and IMGB industrial platform, North by Luica Street and South by the ring road.
The study area has approximately 2350 ha and the intervention site has150 ha.

Development scenario

TRANSFĂGĂRĂȘAN

Transfăgărășan is said to have all the corners of world’s race tracks in its configuration. For the drivers, it is a mental challenge, a battle with their own instinct of preservation and their accuracy of the senses and the speed of the steering responses. It is not easy, not even for Masters of Sport, to ignore the cliff and the rock walls that seem to form an increasingly narrow tunnel as the speed increases. For the cars, Transfăgărășan is a technical challenge, high altitude being a real challenge to engines, and changing weather conditions is a lottery in terms of tire choice and adherence, which can change over the route.
Transfăgărășan is not only a spectacular road. It is also the memory of the dictatorial power assault, which, for decades, has assumed the purpose of the life for every man born in Romania. It is a symbol of the resilience of Romanian people, a perfect representation of humanized nature.

The spatial configuration of a race track

SYMBOL

local – Transfăgărășan
“the most beautiful road in the world”

MAPPING

satellite imagery

EXPLORING

configuration options

OPTIMIZATION

considering the technical requirements

Activities

Race tracks
Formula 1
Rallycross
Indoor and outdoor karting
Off-road
Moto-cross
Pitstops
Grandstands (100.000 places)
27,000 in the Main Grandstand
70,000 in secondary grandstands
3,000 VIP lounge area

Driving school & simulators
Media centre
Conference centre (2.000 places)
Museum
Food & Shops
Kids centre
Administration & technical

Future developments:
Medical Centre
Hotel (min. 400 rooms)
University campus

Logistics area
Business Park
Housing

Activities

Driving school & simulators
Media centre
Conference centre (2.000 places)
Museum
Food & Shops
Kids centre
Administration & technical

Future developments:
Medical Centre
Hotel (min. 400 rooms)
University campus

Logistics area
Business Park
Housing

FOCUS AND MOVEMENT

With the race track being the main focus point, one of the challenges was designing a second focus area, which could be used by all of the spectators during the breaks. This is why the buildings are facing inward towards the courtyard, which can host public from both the main grandstand, as well as the premium lounge.

FOCUS AND MOVEMENT

FILTERS

The leisure activities were placed along the pedestrian pathway, which is accessible from both sides of the race track. Thus the space becomes permeable when the public’s attention is reoriented towards the media centre and the main courtyard.

MEDIA CENTRE

volatile space and user personalities

Similar to other East European capitals, Bucharest’s mixt architecture reveals the historical layers of its communities. But if I were to choose only one characteristic, I would say the most suggestive is the petty geometry of socialist modernism. Opposite to the interwar and Brâncovenesc styles, Bucharest still keeps a kind of shade over its buildings, which reminds people of the regime they’ve managed to overcome. The rigorous and minimalist geometry of the media centre serves as contrast to the dynamic activities surrounding it, giving this type of architecture the chance to be reborn. The building serves as an empty vessel for its various users, „borrowing” the crowd’s personality. After all, it represents the Millennials and the Z generations, for which space is only a means to enter virtual reality.

See the plans