Portfolio Category: DIPLOMA

Student: Boglárka Bálint
Coordinating Professor: Conf. Dr. Arch. Diana Giurea

As part of my bachelor’s degree project, I created a unique space with a distinctive design that engages all the senses and offers a culinary experience for those who enter: a specialty coffee shop with an art gallery, designed in the ISHO Pavilion in Timișoara.

This café offers more than just refreshments and relaxation; it contributes to the personal and cultural development of individuals. In addition to admiring the artworks, guests have the opportunity to experience the joy of creating through painting (small canvases can be purchased and, once painted, taken home).

The design concept is inspired by the metamorphosis of the butterfly, which I integrated into the space in an abstract way through various architectural elements. The idea of transformation is expressed throughout the space through transitions in transparency (from opaque to transparent), light (from dark to illuminated), form (from organic to linear), color (from monochrome to vibrant), materiality (from smooth surfaces to textured finishes), and intimacy (from private to communal areas).

The main design element consists of fine blue curtains hanging lightly from the ceiling, providing multifunctionality as space dividers while also contributing to a special atmosphere.

This study includes the preliminary research necessary for the proper implementation of the project, the verification of the hypothesis—can a multifunctional space be created based on the concept of metamorphosis?—as well as a complete description of the design solution, and the list of materials and objects used.

In conclusion, I successfully designed a socio-cultural and artistic center within the ISHO Pavilion building, which hosts numerous events and features a permanent gallery. Through the resolution of the concept, the café offers a sensory experience, engaging sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. MORPHO Coffee & More supports emerging artists and promotes artistic practice, thereby enhancing the appreciation of art within the community.

Student: Bodan Bianca Ioana
Coordinating Professor: S.l. Dr. Arch. Otilia Tudoran

The chosen space will be designed taking into account the architectural program of which it will be part, more precisely it will combine two architectural programs, namely the café, but also the playground. The space will serve all people, regardless of age, and it will also be easily accessible, being located on the ground floor.

The idea of a cafe with a playground started from the need of families with children to have a common meeting place, where their children can have interactive activities, playgrounds, while parents enjoy their coffee, the little ones end up not getting bored on an outing with adults.

The game is also introduced into the world of adults, where they can also enjoy an unforgettable experience. Every adult was once a child, and this helps to combine their needs and the possibility of starting from a common point for both categories, namely the story, which is also the concept behind the cafe’s layout, a story known to both children and adults. The chosen story is “The Jungle Book”. This story correlates with the chosen space, through nature, with the help of the showcase and the exterior of the building area. Bringing the “jungle” into the heart of the ISHO residential complex represents a respite from technology in a pleasant and modern ambiance. The motif of the showcase represents the idea of staying away from the “human world”, just as the main character of the story, Mowgli, stayed in the jungle with the animals, and away from the village population. The beneficiaries have an “exit” from the city world, in a relaxing space, with activities that will take them out of their daily routine.

Students: Gligor Denisa
Coordinating Professor: Conf. Dr. Arch. Andreea Anghel

This project presents the design proposal for a womenswear showroom with an area dedicated to sewing workshops, located within an existing space on the ground floor of a historic building in the center of Timișoara: Palatul Bănățean, Piața Sf. Gheorghe no. 2. The intervention aims to enhance the relationship between interior design and brand identity through a unified visual language inspired by the process of garment production.

The space has a total surface of 595.99 sqm, distributed across three levels—basement, ground floor, and a partial mezzanine—and occupies part of the building’s basement and ground floor. Currently functioning as a political headquarters, the project proposes its refunctionalization into a womenswear showroom.

The working hypothesis starts from the premise that, in the context of a fashion showroom, interior design can serve as a direct extension of brand identity, actively contributing to visual communication and to shaping a coherent user experience.

The design concept is inspired by the transformation process of garment patterns, exploring the transition from two-dimensional surfaces to three-dimensional volumes. This principle is spatially translated through the use of ruled surfaces made of tensioned cables, evoking both the structure of woven fabrics and the fluid dynamics of material in garment construction. The interior aims to balance rigidity and flexibility, generating an atmosphere aligned with the brand’s values.

The visual identity of the brand “MOIRE” reflects the same idea of rhythm and layering, inspired by the visual effect created through superposition. The name selection and logo development express, both visually and symbolically, the essence of the project and contribute to integrating the interior design into a coherent spatial–brand communication system.

The project was developed based on the analysis of the existing historically valuable space, currently affected by provisional interventions, and on the need to adapt it to a commercial function. The functional layout is organized into public, semi-public, and private areas according to activities and user categories, while the design concept is implemented through reversible materials and constructive elements compatible with the building’s heritage status. The choice of furnishings, materials, and overall spatial scenography supports the brand identity and proposes a coherent experience that balances functionality and expressiveness.

Student: Hadar Amanda Vivienn
Coordinating Professor: Asist. Dr. Arch. Brîndușa Havași

This bachelor’s thesis proposes the design of a psychotherapy center based on the concept of balance between body and mind, achieved through a calm, minimalist, and harmonious atmosphere. The chosen intervention space is defined by a semicircular storefront and imposing, obstructive structural elements, such as columns, which have been integrated into a contemporary interior concept inspired by nature and the aesthetics of simple lines.

Starting from the real need of urban residents to enhance their emotional well-being in environments tailored to their personal needs, the project proposes a spatial organization that merges functionality with aesthetics. The access area—the reception with a semicircular library—acts as a neutral transitional space, offering a first impression of the concept of balance. It can be described as a “central node” from which the four temperaments and relaxation areas branch out.

The thesis explores how interior space influences the psychotherapeutic process, aiming to adapt therapy rooms to the four temperament types: choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic, and melancholic. The proposed psychotherapy center, titled Equilibrum, is conceived as a unified and aesthetically coherent space, with subtle variations that evoke different moods and sensations suited to each temperament.

The methodology includes theoretical documentation on temperament psychology and interior design principles, as well as applied research based on surveys and questionnaires conducted personally with close contacts (friends, family members, colleagues), tracking their preferences according to temperament profiles. Additionally, a functional analysis was carried out on three similar spaces identified online and on a real psychotherapy center in Târgu Mureș — Del Alma. Conversations with psychotherapist Daniel Popescu, one of the city’s most renowned specialists, helped shape a professional perspective on the relationship between space and the therapeutic process. To complement the research, the book Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson was studied, offering a clear and detailed analysis of the four temperament types.

The proposed outcome is an innovative interior design that integrates psychology and design into a unified, minimalist, and modern concept. Through the use of a neutral color palette, similar textures, and curved forms, the space conveys a calm and welcoming ambiance, inspired by spa-like environments. At the same time, each therapy room is subtly differentiated through details that evoke the dominant traits of the corresponding temperament: control and professionalism for choleric; optimism and energy for sanguine; calm and stability for phlegmatic; and depth and introspection for melancholic.

The thesis emphasizes the importance of personalizing space according to the psychological characteristics of its users, demonstrating that a thoughtful design approach can support the therapeutic act and contribute to the individual’s sense of balance.

In conclusion, the project offers an innovative therapeutic space that enhances the existing architecture through a carefully crafted design, adapted to current needs and oriented toward balance and harmony.

Student: Truică Daiana-Cristina
Coordinating Professor: S.l. Dr. Arch. Alexandra Keller

Located in a former industrial area, the Paltim complex was built on the site of the old Hat Factory, from which it also takes its name. In recent years, this area has undergone significant development in terms of urban infrastructure, shifting from its industrial past towards a residential future, becoming a point of interest in a constantly evolving city. This, a place that once lacked social activity is being transformed into one that brings together various types of people duet o the diversity of its current functions: Nokia, the North Train Station, the residential complexes „Paltim”, „City of Mara”, „Monarch”,the second building of the University of Medicine Timișoara, the Bega river shore, and others.

My bachelor project aims to design a space with a dual function, an urban café during the day and a music bar in the evening. The concept of „Tură Dublă” („Double Shift”) is meant to suggest both the two distinct functions of the space and the idea of work shifts, making a subtle reference to the site’s industrial past. The main objective of the project is to explore ways of adapting to various types of people and to alternate between the two functions in order to offer unique experiences for each. Thus, in the process of designing this space, I considered a multitude of aspects to ensure the environment is as inclusive as possible, taking into account the different needs of a diverse audience and identifying methods to transform the daytime space into a nighttime one, allowing them to be perceived differently and have their own identity. Some of these elements include natural and artificial lighting, furniture, directional flow, contrast of materials, contrast of materials, all contributing to the creation of a flexible, captivating space.

Regarding the „listening bar” function, increasingly present in major urban centers, it is a current trend embodied by venues that promote listening and reconnection with music in a social context. This trend dates back to the 1920s, originating in Japan, where it emerged through spaces where people could gather together to drink and listen to music [1]. Given the absence of such a function in the city, I considered this conxept to be a suitable match for the location, duet o the diverse, multigenerational public.

Student: Vincze Erika-Antonela
Coordinating Professor: Spec. Mob. & Interior Design Carmen Săndescu

Located in the historic main district of Timișoara, the chosen space for refunctionalization is situated on the ground floor of a building first attested in a 1929 postcard. However, the exact moment of its construction cannot be precisely identified, as the boulevard itself took shape following the demolition of the old fortifications and the urban planning strategies implemented at the end of the 19th century. The building already appears on the 1893 masterplan designed by Ybl Lajos and Kovács Aladár (information sourced from the historical–urban study of the Cetate district conducted by Lecturer Dr. Architect Bâldea Maja and Associate Professor Dr. Architect Gabriela Domokoș-Pascu).

Starting from the relatively fragile and undated history of the space, a common thread was identified—a subtle emotional fiber called nostalgia—which became the guiding theme of the design and its stylistic influences. By exploring concepts related to emotional consumption, dining rituals across cultures, and contemporary marketing strategies, the term anemoia emerged, most often associated with places, sounds, or flavors. According to recent marketing studies, invoking nostalgia in the selling process generates feelings of calm and relaxation in the consumer, increasing the desire to engage with or consume the targeted product. Yet nostalgia, studies show, often transcends the consumer’s own lived experience. This emotion is referred to as anemoia, defined in The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig as “nostalgia for a time you never lived.”

The proposed interior concept is built around this emotion—anemoia—interweaving visual and symbolic references from various eras and cultural contexts. The technique of temporal collage was employed in the selection of furniture, merging stylistic influences from different periods to create an atmosphere that feels both timeless and familiar. Rich textures, warm color palettes, and decorative details subtly evoke fabricated yet believable memories—a world that feels known, even if never actually experienced.

Here, every object, color, and texture contributes to an emotional narrative, inviting the visitor not only to consume, but to feel. The space becomes a symbolic extension of the idea of home—an inner refuge where time seems to pause. In a society marked by a fast pace and emotional fragmentation, the project proposes a return to essentials: connection, stillness, and the genuine joy of sharing a meal.

In this context, the association with the name “dor” came naturally. It is one of the most emotionally charged and culturally significant words in the Romanian language—endemic and without a direct equivalent in other languages or dialects. Rather than functioning as a simple noun, it represents a cultural concept. In meaning, “dor” lies at the intersection of absence, nostalgia, and affection, its semantics extending beyond everyday language.

Likewise, the designed restaurant aims to dwell, at a soulful level, within the intersection of these three powerful feelings, embodying a symbolic expression of emotional depth and a profound affective relationship with the past, with what is missing, and with one’s identity. With warmth, intimacy, and familiarity at its core, the space is envisioned as a place of reunion and rediscovery—with tastes, with memories, and with loved ones.

Student: Voina Vanessa
Coordinating Professor: Conf. Dr. Arch. Cristina Povian

This bachelor thesis proposes the development of a Turkish restaurant, called Hazine, in the historical center of Timișoara. The space chosen for the intervention is located on the ground floor of the Palace of the Agrarian Bank, a building with architectural and historical value, located in Libertății Square. Starting from the location of the space in an area with a strong historical charge, in the immediate vicinity of the ruins of the Turkish baths, the project proposes the symbolic reactivation of a historical layer often ignored, but essential in shaping the urban identity of Timișoara.

At the same time, a real need was identified among the local public for a public eating place with a Turkish specificity, offering not only gastronomic services but also a coherent cultural experience. The objective of the research was formulated as an attempt to integrate these historical values into a contemporary space for the general public, while responding to current HoReCa standards.

The central hypothesis assumes that a space with architectural and symbolic value can gain a new contemporary function while preserving its identity—provided it is approached through a carefully developed design concept that is closely tied to the historical context and specific character of the place. The resulting project proposes a balanced and coherent solution, both aesthetically and functionally. Natural and durable materials were used, adapted to the demands of a public space, while the visual elements were selected to subtly evoke Ottoman influences without replicating historic styles.

In conclusion, the project succeeds in highlighting the historic character of the site through a carefully constructed contemporary design, adapted to the current needs of the users and harmonized with the architectural and cultural specificity of the area.

Student: Lac Alexandra
Coordinating Professor: S.l. Dr. Arch. Daniela Negrișanu

The proposed concept illustrates the impact of architecture in the context of memory loss, highlighting its ability to mediate the disconnection between perception and meaning. These aspects analyze the shaping of identity through anamnesis, stimulated by architectural experiences and evoked reminiscences, as well as the mechanisms of perception, which involve the use of the senses for a deep exploration of architecture. The center, beyond being a treatment space, becomes an active factor in the therapeutic process, which, although it will not solve the issue of cognitive decline, will optimize the patients’ quality of life through the built environment’s capacity to generate interactions that reflect the essence of their identity.

Student: Lușcă Maria Claudia
Coordinating Professor: Arch. Adam Romi

The architectural language is shaped by the psychological profile and needs of a person who has experienced trauma, drawing on the principles of healing architecture. Trauma fragments the mind into “before” and “after” episodes, often dominated by fear and pain. In this context, architecture becomes a therapeutic support in the healing process, addressing behavioral, physical, emotional, and cognitive impacts. Healing architecture leverages the power of the built environment to influence psychological well-being. For domestic violence victims, spaces must promote safety, calm, and identity restoration. Environmental factors—light, natural materials, colors, and spatial organization—directly affect stress levels and the recovery process. Beyond visual perception, the multisensory experience of space (texture, smell, sound, shadow) fosters a sense of belonging. Thus, the building becomes more than a shelter—it becomes a space of healing and hope.

Students: Găleșanu Eduard, Hotea Timotei, Pașca Georgiana
Coordinating Professor: Conf. Dr. Arch. Cristian Blidariu

MEKA – Museum of Ecological Knowledge and Awareness transforms the Mecatim industrial platform in Timișoara into a mixed ensemble: plastic recycling factory, research institute, and museum dedicated to the material plastic.

Addressing the post-industrial waste crisis, the project redefines the ruin as active public infrastructure. The existing metal structure is complemented by prefabricated modules made of recycled plastic and local soil, configuring a hybrid system with a reduced footprint.

The continuous flow—collection, extrusion, 3D printing, exhibition—becomes an open didactic stage for the public. Intermediate spaces, a circular walkway, and vegetated courtyards filtered by translucent façades mediate the relationship between technological process and city, cultivating community engagement. Plastic, simultaneously raw material and architectural expression, is revalorized through architecture, with recycling becoming a founding cultural act.

Student: Maxim Silvia-Elena
Coordinating Professor: S.l. Dr. Arch. Claudiu Toma

At the edge of Timișoara, in the Fratelia neighborhood, time seems to have forgotten to move forward. The small houses, with gabled roofs and walls made of solid brick or adobe, tell stories of simplicity, calm, and community. On these quiet streets, life flows slowly: people chatting at their gates, benches that listen to thoughts, windows that open toward the world. The Brick Bond project was born from the desire to preserve this identity and transform it into a foundation for the future. Inspired by the habits and daily gestures of the locals, the project reinterprets the street as a protected indoor space — a playground for children and a space of reconnection for the community. Here, details become symbols: a bench, a window, a door — all reimagined in the spirit of a quiet, shared life. The rotated volume is built on the footprint of the former cultural center, as a gesture of respect for the past and an act of reviving collective memory. Made of perforated metal, it expresses the community’s delicacy, transparency, and sensitivity. Surrounding it, a brick wall embraces it — like a protective shell that binds the new to the old. Brick Bond is about connections — between people, between past and present, between tradition and future. It is a gesture of reconnecting with local memory, an invitation to play, to dialogue, and to come together.

Student: Bârle Maria-Francesca-Simina
Coordinating Professor: S.l. Dr. Arch. Maja Bâldea

According to the stages of psychosocial development proposed by Erik Erikson (Childhood and Society, W. W. Norton & Co., Chicago, 1950), extracurricular activities and team-based games contribute to the development of community identity and a sense of belonging as early as middle childhood and become particularly crucial during adolescence. The recent volunteer activity carried out at the social centre “Saint Egidio” in Satu Mare, together with the theoretical framework mentioned above, generated the core hypothesis of the Escal’art project:

1. What is the role and position of vocational extracurricular activities in adolescents’ daily schedules in terms of their social and cognitive development?

2. How would adolescents and young people in Satu Mare benefit from expanding the local extracurricular network with a centre that offers guided training in contemporary vocational skills, which are often pursued individually due to limited or difficult access to assisted instruction?

3. In what ways could Montessori pedagogy innovate the vocational education process for adolescents, and what attributes position it advantageously compared to other methodologies?

Escal’art therefore proposes the adaptive reuse of the “Saint Egidio” Social Centre in Satu Mare into an extracurricular arts education centre. The project introduces mixed workshops, including tutoring in architecture and interior design, graphic design, fashion design, model making, as well as a study room for teenagers and young adults. The aim is to address their needs for belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

From the perspective of the human–environment–space relationship, the impact of the Escal’art centre lies in its objective to function as a didactic, social, and cognitive instrument for its target users, while also contributing to the development of the local vocational extracurricular network in Satu Mare by increasing its visibility and relevance.

The theoretical foundation directly informs the design aesthetics, reflecting a continuous interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic perception and interaction. The project materializes Montessori principles and the triple relationship “person–person,” “person–space,” and “space–person.” The design seeks to generate sensorially balanced environments in accordance with the functional and ergonomic requirements of each activity. Personalization and stylistic coherence balance the standards outlined above and foster a sense of belonging within a group that shares similar values, reinforcing the anthropocentric character of the project.

To establish an authentic connection with the intended users and beneficiaries, they were directly involved in the conceptualization of the interior design through a feedback questionnaire. This process provided essential insights into their relationship with the extracurricular activities in which they participate, their preferred didactic approaches, and the importance of the environment in cognitive processes and overall well-being.

In conclusion, Escal’art represents a case study that emphasizes both the influence of space on the conduct of educational activities and the human capacity to shape the surrounding atmosphere. At the same time, it supports the development of the local extracurricular education system in Satu Mare through a Montessori-based methodology adapted to adolescents’ needs, fostering socio-cultural advancement within the community and strengthening the bonds of trust between learners and educators.

Student: Cuciula Lucia-Maria
Coordinating Professor: S.l. Dr. Arch. Otilia Tudoran

This project originated from the idea of creating a contemporary optometric practice to complement the central area of Timișoara. Over time, the concept evolved into OKIO—a multifunctional space that extends beyond the conventional notion of a clinic.

In addition to providing specialized optometric services, OKIO operates as a retail space offering a curated selection of renowned eyewear brands, including both prescription frames and sunglasses. The centre also incorporates an on-site workshop staffed by qualified professionals who assist clients in selecting frames suited to their facial features.

Beyond standard services, OKIO integrates customization options such as engraving and 3D printing of frames. Furthermore, the space offers a unique experiential component: the photographic capture of clients’ irises, transformed into personalized artistic prints, creating memorable and individualized keepsakes.

Given the range of services and the central urban location, the spatial concept was envisioned as modern and refined. This intention is reflected in the material palette—marble, metal, colored mirror surfaces—and in the inclusion of sculptural design objects that evoke the atmosphere of a gallery or museum rather than a conventional retail environment.

The interior is conceived as a visual composition that engages the human eye. Circulation is organized along a clearly defined route structured around a central focal element. The fluidity of movement is emphasized through rounded corners and continuous spatial transitions, guiding visitors intuitively throughout the space.

Situated in the heart of Timișoara and defined by a fully glazed façade, the storefront was designed to capture the attention of passersby. The display features oversized eye installations aligned along the window, generating curiosity while offering only partial visual access to the interior. The eyewear display area remains visible from the street, while the remainder of the space is deliberately concealed, enhancing intrigue and reinforcing the conceptual narrative.

Students: Tímea Mihály
Coordinating Professor: Specialist in Furniture and Interior Design Carmen Elena Săndescu

Integration within the built environment remains an ongoing subject of debate in architectural discourse and represents a fundamental aspect of the design process. While it is essential to preserve the character and atmosphere of a place, it is neither possible nor appropriate to replicate historical elements directly. Instead, meaningful integration can be achieved through the study of proportions, the abstraction of local symbols, textures and ornaments, the simplification of forms, and the use of related or locally sourced materials. Given the specific configuration of the surrounding context, this project seeks to reinterpret these principles in a contemporary and abstracted manner.

The building was conceived as a communal hub intended to host the social activities of the village. Its generous and flexible interior spaces are designed to accommodate a variety of functions, supported by adaptable furniture systems. The village regularly organizes creative activities for both younger and older generations, and the building provides an appropriate spatial framework for such events. However, as these activities are not permanent, the building was designed to ensure functional and economic sustainability. For this reason, it incorporates a ceramics workshop and a café area, both intended to operate on a continuous basis.

Conceptually, the interior design draws upon the proportions and rhythms characteristic of local architecture. The composition features simple geometric volumes and emphasizes the use of locally specific textured materials. The architectural language reflects adaptation to geographical conditions—high-pitched roofs, extended eaves, and a porch mediating between interior and exterior spaces. In this context, human habitation maintains a constant relationship with the natural surroundings: walls do not isolate inhabitants from their environment but rather offer protection while preserving connection. The proposed design seeks to reinterpret and embody this architectural ethos in a contemporary expression.

Student: Smerea Alexia
Coordinating Professor: Conf. Dr. Arch. Camil Milincu

The theme of the Bachelor’s degree project consists of the adaptive reuse of an existing ground-floor café space, transforming it into a teahouse combined with a kokeshi doll shop.

The central concept of the interior design is union, referring to the creation of new connections rooted in childhood memories, with play serving as the primary thematic framework of the space. The proposed design merges Japanese elements with the Classicist Secession features present on the building’s façade. Japanese influences are introduced through the use of characteristic materials and colors—such as wood, cast iron, and ceramics—as well as through the adoption of clean, linear geometries. The Classicist Secession style is reinterpreted in the interior by incorporating geometric details inspired by the façade, including fluted column motifs, hemispherical forms, and oval shapes.

The kokeshi doll serves as the defining design motif of the teahouse. It is analyzed from a geometric perspective and abstracted into various spatial and decorative elements throughout the interior. Its role extends beyond aesthetic and commercial purposes, contributing to the expression of the overarching concept of union. Within this framework, the traditional tea ceremony is reimagined as a playful tea gathering—an experience that can be shared by visitors and, symbolically, by kokeshi dolls, evoking the imaginative rituals of childhood.

Student: Török-Darvas Eszter
Coordinating Professor: Conf. Dr. Arch. Diana Giurea

As part of the project, I designed a retail space dedicated to clothing and accessories. However, it is conceived not as a conventional store, but as a concept store, offering an expanded program that goes beyond retail. The space is adaptable and can function as a venue for fashion shows, product launches, and specialized workshops. It operates as a collaborative platform, bringing together multiple designers and providing an environment for emerging creatives seeking a physical location to showcase and sell their work.

The theme was approached as a laboratory. Fashion design is a dynamic and continuously evolving field, shaped by ongoing research, experimentation, and innovation. The space was therefore designed to accommodate designers working across various disciplines, including apparel, footwear, bags, and jewelry. The furniture is predominantly custom-designed, characterized by simple forms, and integrated with mechanical and electrical systems that enhance flexibility and functionality.

An important source of inspiration was the architecture of the existing building. LAB is situated in the center of Timișoara, within a structure defined by rectangular volumes, strong rhythm, and symmetry. These characteristics shape the façade, spatial layout, and overall identity of the building, and were consciously reflected in the interior design. The concept was developed “pixel by pixel,” with the entire composition structured through cubic modules. Spatial organization follows a symmetrical logic, with square-based divisions reinforcing clarity and order.

At the same time, adaptability was a key principle: most elements are modular, reconfigurable, and easily adjustable to support different types of events and exhibitions. The chromatic palette is restrained, consisting primarily of shades of white, gray, and blue-green. Material contrasts play a significant role in defining the atmosphere—glossy, reflective, and transparent surfaces such as glass bricks, matte plexiglass, mirrors, and metallic elements interact with the raw texture of exposed concrete.

Overall, the project is defined by a clean, contemporary aesthetic, combining advanced technology with the refined atmosphere of a high-end fashion concept store.

Student: Soreanu Bianca-Ioana
Coordinating Professor: Asist. Dr. Arch. Ionuț Ciprian Mătieș

In this project, I designed a multifunctional watchmaker’s workshop—a space dedicated not only to horology enthusiasts but also to fostering interaction, whether between individuals or between the individual and the built environment. The concept envisions a setting that accommodates diverse personalities and experiences, structured around distinct zones that reference past, present, and future. Vintage watch models evoke a sense of history, while contemporary elements frame the present, and a forward-looking perspective—where “the sky is the limit”—symbolizes the possibility for each visitor to construct their own universe.

The spatial organization is articulated through custom-designed furniture and thematic elements that reinforce the narrative. The atmosphere varies according to the user’s perception, oscillating between warm and cool, intimate and dynamic, yet always interactive. Particular emphasis was placed on a contemporary, digitized area incorporating cyberpunk-inspired effects, intended to intensify the human–space relationship and to reflect the diversity of activities hosted within the workshop. This approach reinterprets the traditional watchmaking function within a modern framework capable of attracting multiple generations.

The project was developed progressively, from conceptual sketches to a highly detailed representation approximating real construction. Materials, textures, colors, and finishes were carefully selected to support the overarching theme and concept. Drawing upon case studies of similar functions as well as original design explorations and modeled elements, the result is an interactive, contemporary, and distinctive environment.

At its core, the project is grounded in the exploration of the human–space relationship, the psychological effects of the built environment, and references to principles of sacred architecture found across cultures, integrating these dimensions into a cohesive and experiential interior design proposal.

Student: Henț Iulia-Alexia
Coordinating Professor: Conf. Dr. Arch. Andreea Anghel

Located in the historic Fabric district of Timișoara, within the Szekely Palace, the selected site currently functions as a facility for the preparation of confectionery and pastry products. The proposed intervention redefines the space as a showroom-warehouse dedicated to the presentation of chocolate products, incorporating a small-scale chocolate factory. The Szekely Palace is distinguished by its architectural language, characterized by a restrained plastic expression devoid of excessive ornamentation, anticipating the modernist direction that would later shape international architecture.

The conceptual inspiration for the project stems from Timișoara’s historical connection to the Kandia chocolate factory—a brand that delighted generations of chocolate enthusiasts and left a lasting mark on the city’s identity for over a century, beginning in 1890. Drawing from this legacy, the proposal envisions the creation of a small confectionery workshop in Timișoara, symbolically reopening a space for passion and creativity in the field. The long-term vision imagines locally produced chocolates and chocolate bars gaining recognition beyond Romania, potentially throughout Europe.

The interior design concept is grounded in the transformation of chocolate from its liquid to its solid state. This metamorphosis is translated spatially through the use of organic, flowing geometries rendered in solid, substantial materials—forms that appear fluid yet embody mass and permanence, metaphorically suggesting the solidification process of chocolate.

The spatial narrative unfolds as a journey that simulates the organic stages of chocolate production. The design capitalizes on this manufacturing process by gradually transitioning materials and textures—from rough to refined surfaces—mirroring the cocoa bean’s transformation from harvesting to grinding and final refinement. Architectural curves guide movement through the space, evoking the tempering and molding stages of chocolate making. In this sense, the interior itself becomes a form of packaging that must be metaphorically “unwrapped” to be fully understood.

Existing architectural elements are carefully integrated into the proposal. Decorative motifs from the façade are reinterpreted as sources of inspiration and constructive elements, including forms suggestive of chocolate shapes. Materials present on both the façade and in the interior—such as green ceramics—are incorporated into the new design. The historical context of the site is also acknowledged: the previous use of the land as a timber warehouse informs the reintroduction of wood as a key material.

Color plays a significant role in shaping the atmosphere of the space. Warm tones dominate the interior, fostering a welcoming and comfortable ambiance often associated with nature and organic textures. Subtle shades of brown and green—derived from the natural hues of cocoa beans—form the core chromatic palette, reinforcing the conceptual and sensory narrative of the project.

Student: Borcea Sanela
Coordinating Professor: Conf.dr.arh. Cristian Blidariu

Architecture that has the capacity to become a movie includes spaces that have the capacity to become a stage, materials that become characters, and light and shadow that become directors of emotion. This project through the architectural language approached, the functional configuration of the spaces, the various hierarchies, the interaction with the outside, the play of light and darkness, is meant to reflect the creativity and dynamism of the film industry, while providing a functional and efficient environment for the process of teaching and learning through the educational function fulfilled.

The building being more than a film school, it embraces in particular those elements of architectural language that can bring one closer to the cinematic atmosphere described by emerging notions such as dynamism, time, transposition, transposition, fusion, or merging, in a natural and liberal way for the users, from the simplicity of the route through the building and the spaces, to the smallest finishing and ambient details. The spaces of this institute consist of a category of special spaces, which require special needs for their operation and use, special gauges both in plan and section, marked by large openings and considerable heights that ensure the smooth functioning of specific program activities.

The spatial hierarchy is determined by the large performance halls and studios, “black boxes”, which stand out from the outside of the building to the inside as the elements that dominate the space and whose presence is always felt throughout the route through the building, including at the finale level. Essentially, this building is a cinematic experience, which aims to transpose the real-world into the movie world, from the way you enter it and the way you walk through it, to the moment you watch the movie and beyond. The architectural experience is completed according to each user’s perception.

Student: Lazari Ludmila
Coordinating Professor: Arh. Marius Miclăuș

The philosophy of the school of architecture is to gather students and hold them together. Outdoor spaces are very important, so I chose to create a gathering place for educational activities and cultural events. This gathering space is defined by the new school, relating to the old ARChA building. The School of Architecture formally embraces the old building and forms a miniature fortress. The gate to the gathering space – agora, is a huge arch, symbol taken from the cultural context of Timisoara. The arch creates the boundary between the public and the semi-public. The southern area of the school contains the exhibition, which became the main element of the school of architecture. The exhibition space contains the library and connects the design workshops with the research spaces. AGORA – the exhibition is the focus of the building that gathers students and teachers, helping to sediment the relationships between them.

Student: Penișoară Diana
Coordinating Professor: Conf.dr.arh. Cătălina Bocan

From the main driveway, hidden by vegetation, a volume is revealed, announcing the access to the future Parkinson’s Disease Recovery Center, offering privacy. Nestled on the edge of a wood, it is clothed by the forest that creeps between the two buildings, continuing inside. In the inner courtyard, a circle around an old tree symbolizes unity and community. The new building body, made of broken segments, encloses the enclosure and recalls the old organization of buildings in old Brasov, offering privacy and a sense of security.

Student: Sîrb Corneliu
Coordinating Professor: S.l.dr.arh Daniela Negrișanu

In its most literal sense, a retreat signifies a safe place that serves as a shelter from dangers or suffering. This can be a physical location, but at the same time, it can be a psychological space where a person finds comfort, safety, and stability. The idea of a retreat has a crucial impact in the context of mental health care, as access to a secluded, sheltered place contributes to relieving the stress to which people are exposed in their daily lives, offering the opportunity to meditate and engage in activities that bring peace and emotional resilience.

The proposed solution becomes that place of safety and synergy, both with oneself and with the surrounding natural environment. The aim is to merge with the natural surroundings by creating structures that blend into the existing landscape. The image created is that of a Norwegian farm centered around a therapeutic garden, where functions are integrated in an invisible way, in order to respect the natural landscape of the fjords. The path generated along the refuge passes through a series of squares with different degrees of intimacy and is defined by two points that have a direct connection with the existing natural environment: water – the pontoon, and the mountain – the place of contemplation.

Student: Bărăitaru Miruna
Coordinating Professor: Conf.dr.arh. Cristian Blidariu

The purpose of this paper is to bring to the fore the hypothesis through which theories can take a form as close as possible to the concrete, based on foundations that—starting from the identification of socio-cultural problems—have metamorphosed into goals and ambitions, culminating, as will emerge from this approach following the pre-diploma phase, in their transposition into an architectural response. By developing and implementing the discussions initiated within the pre-diploma framework, we arrived at the definition of a complex functional theme that explores promising directions for the development of a Transformative Art and Culture Center in Timișoara.

In order to reach the foundation of this essential result, spatial requirements were carefully considered, approached in parallel with the needs of users and the expectations of beneficiaries, as well as the technical requirements that allowed the ideas to take on a significant material form.

Finally, the sought-after spectacular framework is highlighted, considered the most appropriate and suggestive for the stated design theme, while also encouraging the imaginative spirit to extend beyond the limits of the predictable.