A Tragedy Sparks a Journey The story of this project begins at the end of 2015, following the tragedy in a nightclub in Bucharest, where a fire claimed the lives of many young people attending a concert in just a matter of seconds. Others were seriously injured. Although, unfortunately, such events are part of our […]
The story of this project begins at the end of 2015, following the tragedy in a nightclub in Bucharest, where a fire claimed the lives of many young people attending a concert in just a matter of seconds. Others were seriously injured. Although, unfortunately, such events are part of our reality, this one left a deep mark on me — not only because some of the victims were people I knew, many of them architects, but also because it was the kind of place where I or close friends could have easily been.
The aftermath of the incident unfolded a broader narrative of corruption, sparking massive protests across Romania. These protests resulted in a change in the government, a heightened focus on the subpar conditions of hospitals, and, for me, a period of profound distress. It served as a stark awakening, grounding me in the reality of the country I call home. The realization that I, along with many friends, could have been in a similar situation, or that such incidents could occur in the places where we used to find joy and relaxation, continues to evoke anger.
It was this combination of anger and despair that led me to volunteer for a significant project. In 2017, I discovered through Facebook that the local NGO “Cetatea voluntarilor” initiated a fundraising campaign for a children’s hospital in Arad, which had also been a focal point of protests due to its deplorable conditions. I reached out, offering my skills, and swiftly became deeply involved in the project. The objective was to transform the dismal spaces into conducive environments for healing, steering clear of traumatizing scenes. Simultaneously, we aimed to set an example of community-driven initiatives that could be replicated in other towns.
We encountered many challenges — from the complications of working in an old building, to the limitations of a volunteer-led project, and even some initial skepticism from people. Still, we saw each of these as natural stages in our journey. We reconfigured the layout, replaced the furniture, and adapted the spaces to better meet the needs of the medical staff. The design was inspired by nature, and we chose the color yellow to add a cheerful touch, evoking the feeling of a sunny day in the park. Despite all the hurdles, the project turned out to be a real success: donations came both from individuals and companies, and within just a few months, the transformation was complete. After that, we moved on to another floor, applying the same guiding principles.
I’ve always felt it’s my responsibility, no matter where I am, to leave a place better and more beautiful than I found it. While I truly believe that Arad deserves a children’s hospital built to the highest standards, I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a project that brought joy and hope to both parents and medical staff — and, most importantly, much better conditions for treatment and recovery for the children. I believe this project has genuinely changed lives for the better and served as an example for the renovation of other hospital wards, which have since been transformed by fellow colleagues, in the same spirit.
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