Perhaps Ion Mincu himself stood right where you are now. The Ion Mincu House stands as a testament to architectural vision. It also embodies a fascinating journey through time and styles.
The Ion Mincu House is located at 19 Pictor Arthur Verona Street. The Chamber of Architects in Romania owns it today. Architect Gaetano Burelli built it from 1863 to 1877.
Originally, the house was L-shaped with only a ground floor. One part housed the family. A corridor connected it to a secondary volume with annexes.
Ion Mincu purchased the house from Burelli in 1890. He remodeled it significantly. Mincu redecorated the interiors and redid the facades. He also added an extra level to the annex. New window and door frames appeared. The facades gained belts, cornices, profiles, and pilasters. These elements mirrored those of the Central School for Girls. Mincu transformed each room. He imbued it with his beloved style. Bronze chandeliers gleamed. Old sheepskin coats and Karamanli rugs adorned the waxed floors and walls. Paintings and wood-painted icons added to the ambiance. Stained-glass windows and mirrors sparkled. Maple frames sculpted in Arabian motifs surrounded them. Sofas, armchairs, oak paneling, and wooden beams enriched the ceilings. Walnut furniture and other precious objects completed the interior. Mincu created all this for his family.
After Mincu’s death, the house remained largely untouched. However after 1948 changes occurred. New tenants altered the layout designed by Burelli and Mincu.
In 2000, architect Sterban Sturdza sought a new location for the Chamber of Architects. He discovered the Ion Mincu House. He persuaded Mincu’s descendants to sell it to them. Another company wanted to demolish part of it for an office building. The OAR acquired the Ion Mincu House in stages through donations. The house became an office building with public spaces. The layout and plant life were preserved. The restoration began with the decorative elements.
The original frescoes were uncovered. They had been coated over by Mincu’s redecorations. After cleaning, they were restored and remain visible. All painted details, wooden paneling, and woodwork were restored. Every detail reflects the house’s past image. Photographs from a 1928 monograph by Nicolae Petraşcu aided the restoration. Contemporary technologies were integrated. These included isolations, ventilation, and heating. The restoration was completed in 2012. Over 200 people participated. Architects, restaurateurs, and volunteers contributed.
Ion Mincu played a leading role in developing the Romanian Revival style. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He integrated traditional Romanian architectural elements.
The Lahovary House showcased a symmetrical layout with a central hall. Mincu added an innovative porch. Large eaves with carved brackets became recurrent. The Kiseleff Roadside Tavern is another example of the Neo-Romanian style. It features accolade-shaped arches and carved wooden pillars.
The Central School for Girls blends aesthetics and functionality. A glazed arched gallery runs around the courtyard. The glazed structure and accolade-shaped arches reference Ottoman-Oriental influences.
Ion Mincu’s legacy continues. The Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urbanism bears his name. The Ion Mincu House stands as a reminder of his architectural genius. It showcases his dedication to preserving and innovating Romanian design.