"MĂGURA" CINEMA – CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION
ȘIMLEU SILVANIEI, ROMANIA
feasibility study, 2024
The intervention area is located in the city of Șimleu Silvaniei, Sălaj County, on a plot facing Central Park / Iuliu Maniu Square, which includes the former “Măgura” Cinema building. Currently, the building is in a state of ruin, showing significant degradation of the roof structure, as well as the exterior and interior walls. It has been abandoned for over 10–15 years, having last functioned as a clothing store. Since then, no repairs or interventions have been carried out, and the building’s structural condition continues to deteriorate. Based on available photographs and floor plans, it is estimated that the building was constructed in the late 1940s. Its spatial organization follows a symmetrical layout, characteristic of cinema architecture from that era, with the main space—the screening hall—designed according to early principles of sightlines and seating arrangement.
The transformation of the former “Măgura” Cinema aims to ensure the building’s safety and establish optimal operating conditions in line with current standards. The new multifunctional cultural center will provide the community of Șimleu Silvaniei with a versatile space dedicated to cultural, social, educational, and recreational activities, contributing to the strengthening of local identity. Although not located in a disadvantaged area, the project will serve a broad audience and diversify the city’s cultural offerings. Key objectives include securing the structure, preventing further degradation, restoring the building’s functionality, and creating an outdoor terrace and a viewing point overlooking Iuliu Maniu Square—serving as a symbolic landmark.
The space will promote local heritage and foster collaboration with educational institutions. Proposed functions include film screenings, theatre performances, and educational events. The project also includes energy efficiency measures, as recommended by the energy audit, to ensure long-term thermal comfort and economic sustainability.
Studio 82 arch. Octav Silviu Olănescu arch. Anamaria Olănescu arch. Andrada Maier-Drăgan arch. Petrică Maier-Drăgan arch. Oana-Antonia Filip