Jun 15, 2023

The Market Hill of Sibiu

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Studio Egret West is excited to share our competition design for the Cibin Market in Sibiu, Romania. From Market Square to Market Hall… and Market Hill.

The ambition for the Cibin Market Area is to clear away the cars to make room for pedestrian dominated public realm within the historic centre and its ensemble of squares (which collectively form a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

With this in mind, the two fundamental elements of the competition brief are a parking structure for 350 cars and a new home for the market traders. Our proposal adds a third ingredient - sweeping riverside gardens - a counterpoint destination to the historic market square of Piata Mare - a market “hill”. Where Piata Mare is a hard landscape, we propose a soft landscape, in keeping with a naturalised river edge.

Images by Not Just Yellow and Studio Egret West

Our aim was to shape a building that mediates the vernacular of the historic town with the landscape of the Cibin. The pitched roofs of Sibiu are quite unique. They are accentuated with watchful “eyes” for ventilation and given texture with gently curving terracotta tiles. Our proposal reinterprets these forms as lightwells and entrances within the sloping roofs that merge with the forms of the river bank. Underneath a rationale, efficient car park is wrapped by a light, airy, voluminous hall in which to showcase the traders produce.

Botanically planted walkways would lead the way to a range of new perspectives over the waterfront and across the historic skyline. A restaurant, bar, gallery and public event platform at the very top would enjoy absolutely spectacular views, encouraging people to climb the “Market Hill”.

Twenty practices from Romania, Canada, India, Greece, Poland, England and Spain submitted proposals.

Congratulations to the winners - VLADOSTUDIO SRL and ATELIER DE ARHITECTURA TERCHILA SRL - from Romania.

Images by Not Just Yellow and Studio Egret West