LUCIAN BLAGA HIGHSCHOOL
Location Cluj-Napoca, Cluj County, Romania
Client public commission
Year 2022
Status project
Phase Zonal Urban Plan (PUZ) under approval
Collaborators ing. Horia A. Pop
Photography -
The project redefines the relationship between the school and its surrounding neighbourhood by prioritising pedestrian mobility, traffic calming and the creation of lively public spaces. Existing vegetation is preserved and enhanced, providing a green framework for new pedestrian paths, meeting points and outdoor activities. The school entrances are transformed into welcoming public plazas that improve accessibility, strengthen the identity of the two buildings and reinforce the connection with the nearby park.
New extensions accommodate sports halls, cafeterias, libraries and recreational spaces, allowing existing buildings to focus on formal educational activities while providing flexible environments for learning, leisure and social interaction. These multifunctional facilities can also be opened to the local community beyond school hours, encouraging interaction between different age groups and transforming the school into an active neighbourhood hub.
Sustainability is addressed through minimal intervention on the existing site, the reuse of previously sealed surfaces and the integration of rainwater retention and reuse systems, solar panels and heat-recovery ventilation. Building Management Systems monitor energy consumption and environmental performance, making sustainability visible to students and teachers and turning the school itself into an educational tool.
Read more about the competition entry here.