BUCHAREST (RO) - Re-Act's thematic approach has produced a multi-disciplinary space for creative industries and an agent for

change in a problematical area. Twenty years after the collapse of the communist planning system, Bucharest's authorities have yet to come up with a strategy for inner city and sensitive areas. Under such circumstances, developments are generally unstructured and chaotic, save for a few 'alternative' projects that make up for the lack of public programmes. The rehabilitation of the former Commodity Exchange, built in the late 19th century, is one such project. The building, once a symbol of the city's rapid modernization, has undergone several major internal renovations, the most extensive after a destructive fire in 1990. The building's urban context has changed radically, too. Located in the southern part of the historical centre, the building is in one of the few areas to have survived the unprecedented ravages wrought by Ceauescu. But it is also close to the dictator's huge palace (now the seat of parliament) and its megalomaniacal axis, and so almost completely segregated from the historical centre and the main traffic arteries. Most developers were put off by the derelict (but heritage-listed) building and the surrounding, rather deprived area, and it ended up being bought by an association of two advertising companies. The director of one of these companies, Teodor Frolu (who is an architect and a staunch supporter of multidisciplinary activities), recognized the building's huge potential as a centre for creative industries and a breeding ground for local regeneration. Accordingly, the design brief for The Ark Centre had two major requirements: firstly, the creation of an environment that would inspire interaction from communication, exchange of ideas to collaboration on common projects among the occupants; secondly, to instil new drive into the neighbourhood and contribute to (re)building an identity for the area through a very public, accessible and lively space.

Starting from these requirements, the Re-Act Architecture Office delivered a building that celebrates hybridization and forges a strong relationship between the old building and the new intervention. Several alterations during the building's history, and in particular the almost complete destruction of the interior by the 1990 fire, were strong arguments against reconstruction of the original space. However, the almost complete remodelling of the interior is an attempt to recapture lost coherence by creating an organizational symmetry to match that of the building envelope. The service and circulation zone thus becomes the new backbone, expressed by a translucent polycarbonate slab echoing the existing protruding elements along the exterior of the building. In section, the building is divided into two distinct zones. The ground floor and basement house the most public area of the building, with flexible spaces for circulation, exhibitions and public events, etc. In fact, the basement is a new element, introduced in order to generate sufficient space for the various functions. The upper levels (including a skilfully added attic) have been laid out for sale or leasing to private parties. Both public and private spaces are interwoven in a complex manner; while transparent partitions make for ease of communication, it sometimes seems that the building is looking at itself since parts of the original skin are visible from various points in the interior. The fact that you can actually look into another office is not just an architectural whim but also a programmatic decision. Various spaces within the building a meeting room, a ping-pong room, the terrace are meant to bring the users of the building together. The choice of materials shows a remarkable integrity of expression: exposed concrete, ceilings with industrial-style tiles, epoxy paints for floors, and galvanized metal balustrades a material normally used for the exterior but employed here because it emphasizes the public character of the space. At the same time, this is a building that happily accepts and celebrates its collage-like character. Re-Act's Mario Kuibus spent many years in Vienna, and talks about the importance of an eclectic and subversive spirit. The duality demanded by the brief appears to be working well. Besides the two owners, the refurbished building has attracted an architectural office, a TV production company and the Bucharest International Centre of Contemporary Art. The latter not only organizes exhibitions but also hosts artists-in-residence who, at the end of their stay, produce works of art for the neighbourhood. In fact, The Ark became an active centre even before its completion. For four years now, it has organized architectural tours for neighbourhood children, weekend markets, social programmes, rock concerts, open-air film shows, meetings with local residents and urban projects for the area and other parts of the city. Involving other major investors from the area and launching major public activities still prove difficult. Nevertheless, a tiny square in front of the building will be landscaped with the participation of almost all the users. It is an ongoing project.