Bunesti School // Volunteering

-building with vernacular techniques in a modern context-

2021, august Location: Bunești, Romania Project Type: Educational

Bunești was referred to in ‘‘The Architectural Review’’ as ‘‘the university built by students’’ and this describes it perfectly as the construction site is open only during summer vacation where more than 60 students get the opportunity to work on the project. The concept explores how vernacular architecture may be the answer to a world heavily affected by climate change. What is interesting about this project is that the idea of vernacular architecture is not exclusively expressed through Romanian tradition but other cultures as well such as Armenian and Japanese.

Discipline and teamwork are the most important as everyone wakes up at seven to start work before it gets hot, have lunch at 12 and then resume work at three. After dinner, lectures are delivered at the table by architect Ana-Maria Goilav.

Bunești was an amazing experience not only because of all the knowledge that I gained but also it proved to me how little people need to live. Living in a tent for a week, showering in water warmed up by the sun and eating from the garden taught me how wasteful modern life is.

This is me!