The white cubicles of Bucharest Fabian Wenner MSc RUPS Bucharest may be a city of chaotic car traffic conditions. Others may think of it as a city of an eclectic architecture style mix and of concurrency of renewal and decay. But in reality, Bucharest is a city of white cubicles. Barely large enough for one person to fit in (admittedly, there also seems to be a posh 2-person version), the white booths usually feature not more than a door, a window, and a chair. Within the surrounding of an eclectic architecture style mix, the standardised boxes form a soothing recurring element that conveys familiarity. And security. Because this is what they are there for: In a land of low labour wages and a public security provision that is not trusted, landowners hire private guards to protect their property, and for them, they install the white cubicles as shelters. And since many landowners seemingly had the same idea at the same time, they all look alike. The Romanian version of CCTV, with elements of Hoxha’s bunkerisation programme in Albania. To document this striking feature of Bucharest, we have collected an exclusive collection of the most beautiful boxes in the most fascinating locations. Enjoy!
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