# Știrbei Vodă 23

Adresă: Str. Stirbei Voda nr. 23, Sector 1, Cartierul Centru - Cișmigiu, București
An construcție: 1942
Tip ansamblu: Blocuri
Tip clădire: 6-12 niveluri
Stil arhitectural: Modernist interbelic
Risc seismic: II
Etichete: arhitectura, arhitect, modernist, artdeco, patrimoniu, monument istoric, risc seismic

## Articol
Referințe:

- Jean Burcuș (Arhiva de Arhitectură)
- Jean Burcuș (Arhiva de Arhitectură, listă lucrări)

Jean BURCUȘ (1896, Paris - 1987): Arhitect român de orientare eclectică, apoi funcţionalistă Studii: Şcoala Superioară de Arhitectură din Bucureşti, dipl. 1924. Lucrări: blocuri de locuinţe (1929-1935): str. Toamnei 8, Calea Dorobanţilor 10, str. Ştirbei Vodă 23, str. Silvestru, bd. M. Kogălniceanu 3, str. Câmpineanu 54, str. Cazzavilan, str. M. Eminescu 159; str. Coşbuc 10; întreprinderea Poligrafică „13 Decembrie”, str. Gr. Alexandrescu din Bucureşti; locuinţă unifamilială str. Cihoschi 8, Bucureşti. (Dicţionar al arhitecţilor români (sec. XIX, XX, XXI) literele A-C)

Mai 2023:

ChatGPT despre stilul arhitectural al clădirii din strada Știrbei Vodă 23:

The building depicted in the image, located on Știrbei Vodă Street, is a representative example of mid-20th century residential architecture, likely constructed during the interwar period or shortly thereafter. This era was marked by a transition from the elaborate and ornate styles of the 19th century to more streamlined, functional designs that prioritized simplicity and utility over decoration. The building embodies many of the characteristics of modernist architecture, a movement that gained prominence in the early 20th century and continued to influence architectural practices well into the post-war period.

The building is a multi-story structure that aligns closely with the principles of modernist architecture. Modernism in architecture emerged as a response to the industrial revolution and the societal changes it brought about. It emphasized the use of new materials, structural innovations, and a departure from historical styles and ornamentation. The building in question reflects these modernist ideals through its unadorned façade, use of concrete and glass, and a focus on functionality.

One of the most prominent features of the building is its emphasis on verticality, achieved through the use of a grid-like pattern of windows and balconies that rise in a rhythmic fashion up the façade. This vertical emphasis is characteristic of modernist residential buildings, where maximizing space and natural light were primary concerns. The windows are arranged in regular, evenly spaced rows, providing a sense of order and repetition that is typical of the modernist style. These windows are relatively small, a design choice that likely reflects both practical considerations, such as energy efficiency and privacy, as well as aesthetic ones, contributing to the building’s overall sense of proportion and balance.

The façade of the building is predominantly flat, with little to no decorative detailing, a hallmark of modernist design. Instead of relying on ornamentation, the building’s visual interest comes from its structural elements and the interplay of light and shadow across its surface. The use of concrete as the primary material further emphasizes the building’s modernist credentials. Concrete, a material that became widely available in the 20th century, allowed architects to explore new forms and construction techniques, and it became synonymous with modernist architecture due to its strength, versatility, and relatively low cost.

The building features a series of balconies, some of which are recessed into the façade, creating a subtle play of depth and volume. These balconies are functional, providing outdoor space for residents in an urban environment, but they also contribute to the building’s overall aesthetic. The recessed balconies, in particular, create a sense of depth that contrasts with the otherwise flat plane of the façade, adding a dynamic quality to the building’s appearance. This use of recessed elements is a common technique in modernist architecture, where the interplay of solid and void, light and shadow, is used to create visual interest without the need for additional decoration.

One of the distinctive aspects of the building is its corner element, where a curved wall with a series of vertical windows follows the line of the street corner. This rounded corner is a notable departure from the otherwise rectilinear forms of the building, and it reflects the influence of the International Style, a subset of modernism that emphasized simple, geometric forms, and the elimination of unnecessary detail. The curved corner not only softens the building’s profile but also provides a visual anchor, drawing the eye towards the corner and breaking up the monotony of the flat façades.

The top floor of the building features a slightly recessed section with larger windows, possibly indicating a penthouse or a communal space. This area is distinguished from the rest of the building by its larger windows and more open appearance, suggesting a different use or a more luxurious living space compared to the floors below. This variation in the façade adds another layer of complexity to the building’s design, emphasizing the modernist principle that form should follow function.

The use of air conditioning units, visible on the façade, speaks to the building’s adaptation to modern living standards. While these units are not part of the original design, their presence reflects the evolving needs of the building’s residents and the ways in which older structures are adapted to contemporary requirements. In a sense, the visible air conditioning units serve as a reminder of the building’s enduring functionality, even as its exterior remains largely unchanged from its original construction.

The ground floor of the building is dedicated to commercial or communal spaces, as indicated by the larger windows and different façade treatment. This mix of residential and commercial use is typical of urban buildings from the mid-20th century, designed to accommodate both living spaces and the services required by residents. The presence of graffiti on the lower part of the building, while not an architectural feature, is a testament to the building’s urban context and the way it interacts with its surroundings.

The building’s position on Știrbei Vodă Street places it within a dense urban environment, surrounded by structures of varying ages and styles. This juxtaposition of architectural forms creates a dynamic streetscape, where modernist buildings like this one stand alongside older, more ornate structures. The building’s relatively austere appearance allows it to blend into its urban context while still asserting its own identity through its modernist design principles.

In conclusion, the building on Știrbei Vodă Street is a quintessential example of mid-20th century modernist architecture, characterized by its emphasis on function, use of new materials like concrete and glass, and minimalist aesthetic. The structure’s verticality, grid-like window pattern, and lack of ornamentation all reflect the modernist belief in the primacy of form following function. The building’s simple, unadorned façade stands as a testament to the architectural ideals of its time, while its continued use and adaptation reflect its enduring relevance in the urban landscape. This building, with its clear modernist lineage, contributes to the rich architectural tapestry of its neighborhood, highlighting the diversity and evolution of urban architecture over the past century.

## Specialiști
**Arhitectură:** Jean Burcuș

Sursă: https://www.propertyindex.ro/residential/stirbei-voda-23