The project was an entry for the international architectural contest ‘Feroviarilor’ Park in Cluj-Napoca (2018).

The aim of the contest was to identify and implement an integrated urban remodeling concept that meets the complex needs of an area of significant size for the efficient functioning of the city of Cluj-Napoca. The purpose of the contest was to provide the public administration with the most efficient solution of sustainable urban development of the „Feroviarilor” Park area. The reintroduction of „Feroviarilor” Park into the patrimony of public green spaces of Cluj Napoca city is regarded as a significant victory for the entire community and at the same time as a huge opportunity to rehabilitate this important green space of the city functionally, ecologically and in terms of landscape.

CONTEXT

While you visit Parcul Feroviarilor during summer, if you pay attention, you will be fascinated by a very valuable range of vegetation, spatial and anthropological elements. The pots and pans hanging on nails on the tree trunks; improvised steps that provide access to the Somes River, hammocks lost between branches, swings that offer you a break in the shade, alleys that cross a vegetation that hosts pheasants and other birds, temporary installations in strategic points of the park are so charming that you want to keep them and integrate them in the process of revitalizing this space. These elements speak both of the current use of space and on the wishes and needs of those who enjoy the existence of this green space in the city. With the proposed project, the idea is to keep the elements we discovered when exploring the site while strengthening the current uses.

SPATIAL CONCEPT

The name of Parcul Feroviarilor is, even now, very active in the memory of many inhabitants of Cluj. Any visitor from the active period of the Parcul Feroviarilor remembers the entrance train that traversed the space. With the proposed project, we want to recreate a route on which a train can travel. Normally, the train carries people, but it is also an essential tool in distributing the various objects and equipment needed in the main areas of the park, namely: an amphitheater for events, a playground for children, a paved area designed to host a market, a building that hosts the core of the park, a parkour area, a workspace area, and a picnic area. Thus, the train stops at the stations: Somes Station, Feroviar Station, Children's Station, Central Station, and Amphitheater Station.

PROCESS & PARTICIPATION

Through the project of revitalization of the Parcul Feroviarilor we want to meet both the needs of the current inhabitants of the neighborhood and of the future inhabitants who will move in the area within the next 1 O years, as provided by the already started development projects. In addition, thanks to the proposed facilities, the Park will be an attraction for other visitors/ inhabitants of the city. Currently, the park is used by neighbors for dog walks, sports, relaxation, and picnic area. Obviously, it is important that these existing uses are encouraged by the proposed arrangement. Given that the park was abandoned in recent years and that its future has long been uncertain, a number of social actors interested in its reactivation have, over time, proposed events, installations or interventions to enhance the potential of this space. It is important that their intentions be continued and encouraged given their involvement and their close relationship to the neighboring community. In the proposed arrangement, there is an area that is intended for experiments that could be driven by the "creatives" of the city and implemented together with the community. Also, during the implementation of the designing project, it is intended to consult and interact permanently with the inhabitants. Encouraging a participatory process creates a sense of belonging to current and future users of the park

SOCIAL CONCEPT - THE SOCIAL 'MODULOR'

The park is a space for leisure and more or less predictable meetings. The furniture is very relevant to how users interact. Following a study and a short experiment, we found that the size of 6-7 meters represents the maximum distance at which a social, visual and auditory interaction can be achieved between two or more people. In our view, the space of the park needs to provide a context for both larger groups of people and smaller groups. In order for the visit to be a pleasant experience, we have proposed to build the park space starting from the module of a circle with a maximum diameter of 7m. This rule applies to the construction of seating areas built on a circular arc with a radius of up to 3.5m and in the size of the amphitheater that hosts events for larger groups of people.

THE LANDSCAPE CONCEPT

The vegetation comes to support and balance the overall concept. The proposed species are familiar to the park and the community offering a feeling of belonging and resilience. They feel familiar and offer comfort to the visitor used with their appearance. Vegetation surprises us through its changing colors allowing us to rediscover it in different ways again and again. While in some areas of the park we proposed a certain order, the river bank and the zone near the main entrance keep their wildness. The park is suppose to be an escape from the sometimes rigid planning of the city. The choice of vegetation signals a designated area and gives it or reinforces a certain identity. Meeting under a tree is a familiar thing for all of us. It is a way of appropriating the environment, of setting landmarks where we didn't have any. Like good architecture, vegetation is not noticeable. It just makes you feel good, like a welcoming home. Our proposal comes from our intention of protecting the vegetation by having as little impact on the created ecosystem as possible.

Credits:

Architects: Silviu Medesan, Diana Galos, Stejara Timis, Arina Timis

Architecture students: Daria Seusan, Roxana Ocos, Paula Ciuncan