The competition was organised by the Romanian Order of Architects (OAR), with support from the OAR Dobrogea Territorial Branch and in partnership with the Contracting Authority – the Municipality of Tulcea.

Between July 25–28, 2025, the jury evaluation took place for the projects submitted to the International Design Competition “CENTRAL AREA, TULCEA”, officially launched on May 7th, 2025.

The main objective of the competition was to select the best proposal for the urban regeneration of the central area of Tulcea Municipality, with the aim of awarding the design contract.
“Mircea cel Bătrân” Square is the social and administrative core of Tulcea, easily accessible from all parts of the city and spatially and historically connected to the Danube waterfront. The competition sought a high-quality, contemporary redevelopment solution for this space, as part of the broader urban regeneration of the city center and the strengthening of pedestrian connections with the Danube promenade by redeveloping the “Three Fountains” area and transforming Unirii Street into a pedestrian corridor.

The challenge lay in formulating an intervention that respects the current built heritage and the historical layers of the site. Participants were expected to address the various functions of the area — housing; public administration; restaurants, cafés, and confectioneries; small-scale retail; leisure and entertainment; culture and civic life — enhancing them and integrating them into a coherent urban framework for future development of the central zone.

On Tuesday 29 July, the Traditional Fishermen’s Village Museum hosted the press conference announcing the winners. The event was livestreamed on the OAR Competitions Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/oar.concursuri.

The Mayor of Tulcea, Ștefan Ilie, attended the press conference, representing the Contracting Authority.

The following prizes were awarded:

Winning projects selected by the jury:

1st Prize – Project no. 109 – PUNCT BIROU DE ARHITECTURĂ S.R.L.

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Lead Authors: Arch. Andrei Bacoșcă, Arch. Mădălina Doroftei, Arch. Ruxandra Grigoraș, Arch. Lázár Csaba, Arch. Mădălina Perju, Arch. Daniel Șerban

“The project proposes the creation of a central park in the heart of the city. Its strength lies in the continuity of the design, which extends from the riverbank to Mircea cel Bătrân Square. The square itself is shaped as an open, human-scale space, empiric and inclusive. The design presents a clear stance and language, respecting the existing urban structure while introducing a coherent architectural and landscape vocabulary. This approach has the potential to establish a strong new identity for the Central Area of Tulcea for both residents and visitors, complementing the existing one.
A notable feature is the high flexibility in the placement of trees and green areas. The proposal offers an exemplary response to pressing climate challenges in our cities. By prioritizing environmental resilience, social inclusion, and historical sensitivity, the design offers a compelling and feasible vision.
The project envisions a new urban core, open to Tulcea and Dobrogea’s diverse, multiethnic and multiconfessional communities, and to the growing number of Romanian and international tourists. Thanks to this public initiative and the international competition, the winning solution will reshape the new city center, turning it into a symbol of modernity and innovation for all of Romania.” – Jury’s comments

2nd Prize – Project no. 112 – NORMA ARHITECTURA ȘI URBANISM SRL + BOCA ȘTEFANIA LILIANA – BIROU INDIVIDUAL DE ARHITECTURĂ + RECREATIV ARHITECTURĂ PEISAGERĂ SRL

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Lead Authors: Arch. Boca Ștefania Liliana, Arch. Fleșeriu Alexandru Nicolae, Arch. Kotró-Kosztándi Anna, Arch. Olteanu Alexandra, Arch. Péter Alexandra, Arch. Péter Eszter, Arch. Uglea Claudia Andreea

Specialist collaborator: Water Management Expert – Tetelea Cristian Demostene

“The project stands out through its clear urban gesture and consistent design approach. Unlike the treeless esplanade along the Danube, Mircea cel Bătrân Square is envisioned as a vibrant green space populated by a diverse mix of tree species. The newly dimensioned square is designed as a clearing in the ‘urban forest’, offering strong spatial identity and a sense of belonging.
The square is entirely paved with cobblestones, combining reused and new materials to ensure durability, high aesthetics, and a commitment to local heritage.
The proposal demonstrates a deep understanding of the site, addressing its historical foundations and incorporating memory-based design gestures. The water management strategy and planting concept are well developed, creating a dialogue with both the historic town and its modern urban context.” – Jury’s comments

3rd Prize – Project no. 116 – STUDIO 82

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Lead Authors: Arch. Octav Silviu Olănescu, Arch. Anamaria Olănescu, Arch. Andrada Maier-Drăgan, Arch. Petrică Maier-Drăgan, Arch. Oana Antonia Filip

“This project displays remarkable ease and confidence in addressing the existing structures and conditions. The competition’s requirements — such as depaving surfaces and improving public space quality — are addressed with simplicity and integrated convincingly into the urban fabric, to the point where the proposal feels like a continuation of the current urban structure.
A positive element is the redesign of the “Three Fountains” area, where the existing staircase is replaced by a generous ramp, improving accessibility.
The proposal reinforces the identity of Tulcea through the redesign of Mircea cel Bătrân Square as an urban element that respects and continues the city’s character. It generates several high-quality spaces around the square, offering a refined urban experience.” – Jury’s comments

Honourable Mention I – Project no. 123 – ALT. CORP. ARCHITECTS SRL + SHAFT A.D. SRL

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Lead Authors: ALT. CORP. (Arch. Cosmin O. Gălățianu, Arch. Cristian Beșliu, Arch. Cosmin Georgescu, Arch. Andrei Theodor Ioniță, Arch. Octavian Bîrsan) + SHAFT (Arch. Alexandru Moldovan, Arch. Andrei Barbu)
Co-authors: Arch. Andrei Mitrea, Landscape Architect Alexandru Gheorghe

“This project is appreciated for its robust conceptual approach. The reference to the spatial organization system of the modernist project is not aesthetic but programmatic. The 7×7 meter grid becomes a unifying principle for organizing the site, made up of a mosaic of spatial typologies.
This rigorous system is supported by layered complexity and a consistent design language applied throughout the site, from spatial planning to meticulous material detailing.
Well-executed detailing and custom furniture successfully establish a new identity for the city, subtly referencing Tulcea’s industrial heritage.” – Jury’s comments

Honourable Mention II – Project no. 103 – DE PLANO SRL

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Lead Authors: Arch. Emil Burbea-Milescu, Arch. Laura-Maria Covaci, Arch. Radu-Tudor Ponta
Architecture Collaborators: Arch. Lidia Danil, Arch. Ana-Maria Botez, Arch. Vlad-Ioan Buhu, Arch. Rareş David, Arch. Ioana Gheorghiţă, Arch. Alexandru Mihalescu, Arch. Tudor-Lazăr Ştreangă

“The proposed project demonstrates a comprehensive and well-founded conceptual approach. Special recognition goes to the high quality of its surface water management strategy, which extends beyond the competition site, benefiting the entire city.
The proposed ‘blue-green infrastructure’ integrates topography, hydrology, and existing infrastructure, offering forward-looking sustainable responses to extreme climate events.
Of particular note is the triple-row tree planting along Unirii Street, where ‘rain gardens’ are incorporated along the outer alignments, contributing significantly to both the ecological function and visual identity of the area.” – Jury’s comments

Honourable Mention – Project no. 110 – ATELIER MENOU SRL + SFERA ARHITECTURA SRL

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Lead Authors: Arch. Miruna Moldovan, Arch. Adrian-Ovidiu Bucin, Arch. Alexandru Sabău, Arch. Ioana-Andreea Sabău, Arch. Patricia Sabina Simedru, Arch. Alexandra-Mara Buz
Architecture Collaborators: Arch. Cosmin Ciubotariu, Student Architect Sabrina-Ioana Dâscă, Arch. Iulia Lorena Sabou

“This project receives an honorary mention for its sensitive and profound vision. Its main objective is to humanize the vast and rigid socialist-era spaces by creating a rich mosaic of historical and ecological layers.
The project successfully proposes a new spatial and functional matrix aimed at regaining the human scale through more intimate and diverse spaces, subtle topographic changes, and a nuanced landscape strategy.” – Jury’s comments

The Contracting Authority for the competition is the Municipality of Tulcea, which will become the beneficiary of the project resulting from the competition. The competition is organized by the Romanian Order of Architects (OAR), in accordance with the OAR Guidelines for Organizing Design Competitions (rev. 2022) and the applicable public procurement legislation.

This is a public, single-phase competition, open to participants from Romania, the European Union, the European Economic Area, and the Swiss Confederation. It is conducted as an independent procedure under Art. 105(a) of Law no. 98/2016 on public procurement. Based on Art. 104(7) of the same law, the design services contract will be awarded to the competition winner through a negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice.

The competition jury included internationally experienced experts – architects and urban planners from four countries:

Full Members:

• Arch. Andreea Catrinel Matache – Contracting Authority Representative, Chief Architect (RO)
  
• Arch. Ana Maria Zahariade (RO)
  
• Arch. Laura Cristea (RO)
  
• Urban Planner Irina Popescu-Criveanu (RO)
  
• Arch. Gustavo Figueira Serrano (ES)
  
• Landscape Arch. Jörg Michel (DE)
  
• Landscape Arch. Barnabás Ede Szakács (HU)
  

Alternate Members:

• Arch. Alexandru Axinte (RO)
  
• Engineer Simion Tănase (RO)
  

The jury was also supported (non-voting) by the organizing team from the Romanian Order of Architects:

• Arch. Sorin-Nicolae Istudor – Professional Advisor
  
• Arch. Mirona Crăciun – OAR Competition Advisor, Competition Coordinator
  
• Arch. Raisa Parpală – OAR Competition Officer
  
• Urban Planner Louisiana Stoica – OAR Competition Officer
  
• Arch. José Peralta Guerrero – OAR Competition Officer