Rusticitas Et Urbanitas: The Conversion And Expansion Of The Solacolu Inn At Bucharest, Romania | Interior Architecture Thesis On Adaptive Reuse

Site Context

The Solacolu Inn is a symbolic historic building in a severe state of ruin, hidden in the historic area of central Bucharest. Known for its vernacular design, the structure is rooted in traditional practices of medieval architecture. In the absence of a viable project to salvage the relevant heritage elements, the author proposes a conversion and extension of the ruined building, sustainably and adaptively. 

Its location—close to the University of Architecture and the Historic Center—highlights the project’s practical relevance. By reimagining the inn as a cultural hub tailored to local community needs, the proposal demonstrates how restored traditional architecture can find new purpose in contemporary life.

Design Process

The project engages with the urban fabric at the street level, focusing on both the extension of the site and the restoration of its heritage features. The historical overlaps define the character of a palimpsest, fragmented by multiple dysfunctions that the proposal answers. One such issue—the lack of pedestrian space—is solved by restricting car access to the street, with the preservation of a tourist tram line. 

Spaces where today illegal parking lots or ruins are abandoned can be reactivated for the enhancement of a cultural route, where we find picturesque elements: urban furniture, landscape interventions and gardens, fountains, etc. The reinterpreted vernacular elements serve contemporary architecture with subtlety through nuances, rhythms, symmetries, and spirituality.

Final Outcome

The 24,000 sqm center follows a traditional functional layout across its levels. The ground floor, with its strong commercial orientation, is designed to be accessible to the public. Above it, the upper floors—facing the inner courtyard—are dedicated to museum galleries. The attic hosts complementary spaces, including a creative hub for architects and artists, restoration workshops, and a conference room. 

The entire ensemble responds to community needs, as a place of rest and meeting between various disciplines and collaborators. The reversible extensions draw inspiration from the dense, enclosed forms of medieval caravanserais and inns. The spatial journey through the site is crafted to evoke curiosity and a sense of mystery, detaching visitors from the present through the use of warm materials like wood and travertine stone.

Following the collapse of the original roof structure in the last decade, the proposal envisions its reconstruction using a hybrid system combining laminated timber and steel-core columns.

The attic is organized into five functional zones: the two secondary wings and the main building level are designated for architecture workshops, equipped with modular furniture to support informal work and reading. The intermediate loft offers a quiet space for relaxation and reading, while the main visitor entrance opens into a small exhibition area.

Conclusion: Ultimately, the project transforms the Solacolu Inn into a vibrant cultural and educational hub, blending heritage preservation with contemporary use. It serves as a sustainable model for reviving historic ruins while serving the community’s present needs.

[This Academic Project has been published with text and images submitted by the student]