A striking temporary installation has been completed along the Moașa Sebeșului River in Romania, designed by atelier VRAC as part of the Făgăraș Fest. The 154-square-meter geometric structure, photographed by Cristian Bădescu and Zenaida Florea, represents a bold architectural intervention that activates the mountain waterway while raising awareness about environmental conservation.
The installation emerged from the desire to highlight the Moașa Sebeșului River, a tributary of the Sebeș River that originates from the Făgăraș Mountains. This creative intervention serves as a central element of Făgăraș Fest, a festival organized by the Conservation Carpathia Association with dual purposes: raising awareness about the need to designate the area under national park protection and showcasing the potential of the local community.
At a time when mountain streams face increasingly aggressive interventions through micro-hydropower plants, invasive constructions, and uncontrolled waste dumping, preserving an unaltered landscape has become an aspiration in itself. The architects recognized this environmental challenge and responded with a design that celebrates rather than disrupts the natural setting.
In deliberate contrast to the ever-shifting dynamics of the water and its banks, the installation takes the precise form of a circle. This geometric figure generates a defined perimeter, creating an outdoor "room" that relocates visitors from the river's linear landscape and draws them into a universe with its own gravitational center, detached from the immediate surroundings. The boundary consists of slender vertical elements topped with solar light globes, enclosed by a delicate textile surface suspended above the flowing water.
The installation maintains a diaphanous presence that, though fixed and geometric, gently finds its place between the riverbanks. This careful positioning allows the water to flow freely beneath while leaving the natural site completely untouched. The design demonstrates how temporary architecture can coexist harmoniously with sensitive environmental contexts.
Visitors experience the space differently based on their age and physical characteristics. Children can cross the threshold effortlessly, slipping beneath the fabric covering, while adults must bend slightly to enter, discovering the enclosed "room" with a touch of surprise and anticipation. This varied accessibility creates different levels of engagement with the architectural intervention.
Inside the circular boundary, an isolated pontoon is positioned at an angle, deliberately placed off-center and reachable only by wading through the water. Here, for a brief moment, the typically flowing river becomes contained and almost static, offering the pontoon as a pause point and peaceful interlude. The suspended fabric functions as a protective canopy, subtly brushing against the vegetation on both riverbanks and drawing the natural surroundings into the installation's defined perimeter.
Adjacent to this contemplative "room" is a narrow crossing that spans the river, connecting the artistic installation to the festival's designated camping area. Stepping stones are strategically placed at stride-length intervals, encouraging visitors to make a deliberate and mindful passage across the water. This thoughtful design element transforms a simple river crossing into a meditative experience.
When darkness falls, both the river crossing and the main installation glow softly, illuminated by the solar-powered globes that provide only the minimum light needed for safe navigation. This subtle lighting approach respects the natural nighttime environment while maintaining the installation's presence and accessibility.
Intriguing in its overall presence, the installation successfully evokes serenity while simultaneously inviting encounter, play, and exploration from festival visitors. It has become a dynamic focal point of the festival, equally appealing to children and adults who engage with the structure at different speeds and intensities. Activities range from energetic leaping from the pontoon to quiet pausing in peaceful retreat, with some visitors stumbling accidentally into the refreshing water.
The project represents atelier VRAC's innovative approach to temporary architecture that celebrates natural environments while providing meaningful spaces for human interaction. By combining precise geometric design with environmental sensitivity, the installation demonstrates how contemporary architecture can enhance rather than compromise delicate ecological settings.
