Authors: OOPY Architecture, Architecture Design Team: Arch. Iustin Popescu, Arch., Octavia Floria Popeea, Arch. Oana Cretu, Arch. Andrei Radu, Arch. Bogdan Niculae, Urb. Andrei Nicolae, Eng. Catalina Maier, Eng. M. Gh. Popescu, Logistics, Authorization: Eng. Iany Tugearu, Anda Constantin, Iulian Păcurar, Marius Veltulea, 3D: Arch. Cristian Moga, Arch. Andrei Radu
Once upon a time, in the Carpathian arc, there were villages and hamlets that flourished among green hills and shady forests. People searched for enchanted pearls in the clear mountain springs and, over the seasons, these pearls gathered in a valley, shining like a garden of light along the Olt River.
From this story, our design for the new headquarters of a bottled mineral water production company in Transylvania, Romania, was born.
The project is rooted in the traditional village setting of the site, weaving together the memory of the built heritage, the gentle rhythm of the landscape, the vitality of the village center and the persistent presence of the historic fortifications. Tradition and contemporary architecture are put in dialogue, not in opposition – the old enriching the new, and the new giving voice to the old. The result is a rural yet modern public space, a meeting place where human connection is encouraged and cultivated.
The ensemble addresses all generations and all rhythms of life. Along the river, a smooth promenade provides a place for walks, gathering and reflection. On the first floor, bright and flexible offices open to the landscape, providing a work environment that inspires creativity. Above, a generous kindergarten becomes a joyful heart of the project, a place of play and learning that enhances community life and supports both staff and families.
The organization of functions flows from public to private in a natural sequence. Entry is through a welcoming courtyard on the lower level, open to all, where a café creates opportunities for daily interaction. The conference room, placed at the threshold between public and private, is adaptable to various events, connecting professional and community life. On the upper levels, recreational facilities and childcare spaces bring comfort and balance, reaffirming the ensemble as a place not only to work, but also to live well.
Sustainability is at the heart of the proposal. The offices are strategically placed underground for energy efficiency and acoustic comfort, protected by multi-layered green spaces whose soils retain water and nourish resilient vegetation. Large expanses of glass ensure balanced natural light, while the roof shapes provide efficient drainage, high insulation and an optimal degree of shade. Together, these measures create a complex that is ecologically conscious, energy efficient and deeply connected to the rhythms of nature.
The materials – stone, water, glass and wood – weave the building into its setting, reflecting the rocky soil, flowing springs and nearby forests.
The project also solves functional challenges: the circulation of heavy traffic is streamlined, safety is ensured, and the existing administrative building is connected to the new ensemble by a light and welcoming walkway. Green spaces permeate and tame the volume, creating openness and an invigorating environment where work, learning and leisure coexist.
The building materials were chosen to harmonize with the natural setting and strengthen the dialogue between architecture and landscape. The lower levels, anchored in stone floors and mirrored waters, resonate with the rocky ground and nearby springs. Above, the wood textures and delicate volumes integrate seamlessly with the green surroundings, reflecting the forests on the horizon and the nearby houses. Glass surfaces dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior, allowing light and reflection to animate the spaces throughout the day.
The project also solves functional challenges: the circulation of heavy traffic is streamlined, safety is ensured, and the existing administrative building is connected to the new ensemble by a light and welcoming walkway. Green spaces permeate and soften the volume, creating openness and a refreshing environment in which work, learning and leisure coexist.
Thus, the ensemble becomes more than just a headquarters: it is a living architecture, a constellation of pearls along the Olt River, where work, leisure and community come together like the waters that inspired its creation.