Casa Manu

Tucked away on a hidden site behind Casa Manu on Calea Victoriei, this proposed office building leverages a thoughtful design approach to create a strong visual identity and functional synergy with its surroundings. The concept introduces a pixelated logic to the façade, creating a system of recessed green balconies that cascade rhythmically across the building. These verdant elements not only soften the structure's presence but also contribute to an inviting and human-scaled aesthetic. Green terraces enhance the building's visual connection to its surroundings, offering spaces that blend productivity with an appreciation for nature, even in a dense urban setting.

Sitting in a sunken plaza, the ground floor is activated by retail spaces, introducing a lively shopping experience that connects the building to its urban context. At the top, a rooftop restaurant surrounded by a spacious terrace offers panoramic views and a serene, open-air dining environment, creating a destination for both tenants and visitors.

Functionally, the new building establishes a direct access to the basement of Casa Manu, fostering a unique interdependence between the two structures. This connection enhances operational efficiency, seamlessly linking the new office building with Casa Manu’s facilities, where the café and gastronomy in Casa Manu’s basement are perfectly coupled with the shopping spaces on the ground floor of the new building.

Rather than competing with Casa Manu, the new building is designed to coexist harmoniously with its distinguished neighbor. Its form steps back respectfully, maintaining the visual prominence of Casa Manu while complementing its character with a contemporary contrast. The integration of green balconies, thoughtful materiality, and shared functional elements ensures that the two buildings create a balanced dialogue, enriching the site while embracing both modernity and historical significance.