For ten years, Beta has been awarding quality architectural initiatives and projects in Romania, Hungary and Serbia. The international jury for each edition is made up of renowned architects, and the awards reflect our determination to promote authors and projects with a beneficial impact on the built environment.
For the first time in this competition, we have introduced the People's Award, through which we aim to improve the connection between architects and the general public, emphasizing the importance of architecture that directly addresses the values and needs of society.
We all live in and use the city and the spaces that architects design, so we want the Beta Awards to recognize the preferences of the general public. The Public Award is our way of bringing quality architecture closer to the general public and promoting those architectural projects that make us proud of the cities we live in. Each person can vote for one project in the categories of Built Space, Interior Space, Public Space, Graduate Projects and Research.
The public vote will be open together with the awards exhibition and will run until the end of the competition, when the project with the most votes will be awarded at the Beta 2024 Awards Gala.
Passion is the signature of the 441 Design Powerhouse studio. Their honesty, respect and creative world view are imprinted in each project they take on. Emotions and functionality are equally important in the creative process and in designs that turn imagination into reality. They are constantly exploring the world to find ideas that do good. For them, design is a lifestyle. They feed on it, hear it, breathe it, see it, feel it, and use all these experiences to bring harmony and beauty to the surface in an ever-changing universe.
Whether we are talking about corporate, graphic, interior design, branding, 3D & animation, video production or UX/UI, the 441 practice is based on the same principles. It always prioritizes brave, custom-made ideas, authentic and relevant solutions, which give both shape and substance to each project’s aspirations.
They perceive design as a form of expression, art, solution to challenges. They know it has the power to make every place better, more accessible and more sustainable. "Love at first sight" refers to both what is seen and what is felt, the result of numerous processes, flows and steps that they follow. That's why the first connection is as important to them as the long-term relationship with the stories they create for their clients.
Project description in English
Ferdinand Apartment is a small, 45 square meter studio that has been transformed into a cozy two-room home in Bucharest, Romania. The apartment is located in a 1956 building, preserving the original wooden entrance door and the stunning mosaic floor in the entryway. Though the space was once a studio, the layout has been completely rearranged, with the former kitchen becoming a bedroom and the addition of arched openings to connect the different living areas.
The entrance hall sets the tone for the rest of the apartment, with the blue mosaic floor, gray walls, and curtains creating a rich, complementary color scheme. Cleverly placed mirrors give the illusion of depth and expansion to the space. In the main living area, high ceilings allow the room to breathe, while a mix of vintage and modern furnishings create a timeless ambiance. A kitchen island doubles as a dining table, with a robust shelving unit behind it serving as both storage and a mini-library. The pièce de résistance is the vintage Italian travertine coffee table, accompanied by a cozy sofa. A long bench along the opposite wall provides both seating and display space for decorative objects.
The bathroom maintains a clean, functional aesthetic with simple white tiles. In the bedroom, the color palette and decor continue the relationship established in the entryway, with the bed taking center stage. A classic painting above the bed is echoed by a contemporary piece in the living room, linking the spaces.
Throughout the apartment, the design seamlessly blends the past and present, creating a cozy, relaxing haven for the future owner. With its thoughtful layout, carefully curated furnishings, and preservation of original architectural details, Ferdinand Apartment offers a tranquil respite from the stresses of the outside world, a "small harbour" for its inhabitants.