III. INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTIONS

The domain of industrial constructions, apparently less spectacular for the creation of architecture generally, benefited form a major creative impetus. Tremendous changes in industrial technologies became an objective necessity in how these structures were built. Big industrialists, eager to benefit from the modern spaces, required of new technological processes and of scientific breakthroughs, accepted the proposals of young architects who reformulated the new requirements for the efficient use of production space, the possibilities offered by reinforced concrete, and, last but not least, a new system of selecting the aesthetic landmarks.

Notable works that turned industrial constructions into genuine architectural creations included those of Horia Creanga for the Malaxa company, in Bucharest, notably the Main Entrance (1930- 1931), the Pipe Factory (1935-1936), the Administrative Pavilion (1936). It is also worth mentioning the contribution of other architects to the transformation and development of industrial buildings into structures that earned them the status of modern industrial architecture. The functionalist tendency and the aesthetic innovation can be traced in a whole series of works with industrial character: the Grivita workshops and outbuildings, Bucharest, 1930-40, architect Maria Cotescu; the IAR Works, Brasov, 1933, architect G.M. Cantacuzino; the Ford Works, Bucharest, 1937, architect P. M. Miclescu; The Brasov Metal Works, 1936-37, architect L. Constantinescu; The Tubes and Tyre Works - Banloc, Floresti Prahova, 9137, architect O. Doncescu; the workshops of the Tohanul Vechi and Orastie Factories, 1937-38, architect R. Bordenache; the IOR Works, Bucharest, 1938-40, architect R. Bordenache.

The building of modern slaughter houses received important investments in many parts of the country. Among them, we should mention the Expert Slaughter House in Constanta, 1934-35, architect Nicolae Nenciulescu, the Buzau city Slaughter House, 1934, and the Bacau city Slaughter House, 1934-35, architect D. Marcu etc.

What characterizes all these industrial buildings is the interest in ensuring an optimal functionality, by improving the quality of the work place, the rational space organization and a very clear plastic expression in a suitable regime of volumes with the rhythm lent by the constructive elements. This architecture, raised to a superior status by the promoters of the Modern Movement in world architecture, saw in inter-bellum Romania as well, a revaluation and integration among true works of architecture. The country's economic development, followed by the expansion and diversification of industrial spaces, led to the need for restructuring industrial space and for synchronizing with modern technology and science. All this would result in the emergence of a new aesthetics able to meet various functional needs.

The effort and contribution of architects to satistying these meeds would be directed also toward the projects devoted to industrial design, that would develop as an important branch in the preoccupations related to industry in the coming decades.

Maria Cotescu, Grivita Works Bucharest, 1930-1940	O. Doicescu, Tyres Works Banloc Floresti, 1937-1938
N. Nenciulescu, Export Slaughter House Constanta, 1934-1935	George Matei Cantacuzino, Airplanes IAR Works Brasov, 1933

Last update: 1999, September 8
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