Drăgan Dragomir has been an architect since 2003 and runs his own firm DCXS Architecture since 2006. He is a socially and culturally active person.
Drăgan Dragomir obtained nominations and awards in architecture while simultaneously developing his passion for graphics where, following invitations to local or international salons, he obtained awards for submitted projects. Within the architecture firm's activities, he adds the editing and printing of graphic albums, and since 2013, publishes the TDB/Terapie de Basm album series, with which he frequently participates at the EECC/East European Comic Con in Bucharest.
He usefully combines the two passions, creating a particular personality for DCXS Architecture, the firm that operates at national and european level, with prestigious partners from France and the United Kingdom.
The particularities, the history and the results obtained also help in the academic career where he works as an associate member, at the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning in Timișoara since 2005.
In this context, in 2018 he was elected president of the Romanian Order of Architects in Timiș.
Approaching heritage, preserving and promoting forgotten values, he develops a series of student practices that he organizes in Sebeș, in Alba County, where he is from. These materialize in the form of a doctoral study for which in 2020 he was awarded the title of Doctor of Fine Arts, on a topic that includes the restoration and protection of built heritage.
Project description in English
What does "together" mean in contemporary architecture? It means optimism and collaboration. Competition between established architects and young firms is difficult without decency and adherence to a code of ethics, and policies affect the morality of constructive competition, overshadowing "together" with individualism. However, optimism and the joy of practicing architecture involve accepting challenges alongside other actors. Our challenge is to work in neglected areas, which represent a worrying percentage of the built environment.
Architecture becomes art by integrating social, aesthetic, and cultural aspects, influencing the community. A new construction can revitalize a decayed city, setting a precedent. The project must be assimilable, having a positive impact. Endurance, patience, and calm generate confidence where there are doubts.
The kindergarten project in Oțelu Roșu, a decayed industrial town, illustrates this approach. The construction respects the land's topography and integrates harmoniously into the natural and social context. The front acts as a "wall" against the old apartment blocks without coherent refurbishments. The access through a symbolic "bridge" introduces children to a new world, reminiscent of characteristic "drawbridges," an element of transition into their world. The access space divides circulation towards the two wings for children's groups, protecting the common courtyard. Facades of wooden slats and generous windows create a warm, unified exterior, reflecting local rural architecture. Classrooms are protected by sliding slats, allowing the interior space to extend into the courtyard. The southern facade, with horizontal openings, ensures natural lighting. The anthracite metal roof, with asymmetric slopes, emphasizes integration into the natural landscape.
The project involves collaboration with a dedicated local builder and support from the city hall, overcoming initial reluctance. Positive reactions confirm the project's success, demonstrating that architecture can significantly impact the future. Together, we can turn challenges into opportunities and create favorable contexts for development.
Will it have the anticipated impact? Will it create a place? Will it help shape the preschoolers who will use the kindergarten?
A first step has been successfully taken, and this new "together" should be an example in itself.
