Oana Stănescu Takes the Helm as Curator of 2024 Timișoara Architecture Biennial
A New Vision for Beta
January 9, 2024, marks a significant moment for the Timișoara Architecture Biennial (Beta) with the appointment of architect Oana Stănescu as this year’s curator. Stănescu, a multifaceted professional, brings a wealth of experience as a designer, writer, and educator to the role. Her appointment promises to infuse the biennial with a fresh perspective, drawing from her extensive international background.
Stănescu’s Global Journey
A native of Romania, Stănescu completed her architectural education at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism in Timișoara (FAUT). Her career spans several continents, culminating in the establishment of her studios in New York and Berlin. Stănescu’s work is diverse and impactful, ranging from the revitalization of a 500-meter funicular in Reșița, Romania, to designing retail stores for Virgil Abloh’s Off White brand worldwide.
Her notable installations include “Seriously Fun” at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, “Mutts” at the 2022 Coachella music festival, and “Fresa” at the 2023 Concéntrico International Festival of Architecture and Design in Spain. Stănescu co-founded the innovative Plus Pool project in New York, emphasizing urban livability and sustainability.
A Legacy of Education and Innovation
Stănescu’s influence extends into academia, having taught at prestigious institutions like Harvard GSD University, Columbia GSAPP, and the Architectural Association in London. Her latest venture is the interdisciplinary Blueprints of Justice Studio at MIT, a collaboration with the Stanford Legal Design Lab and Virgil Abloh. In 2023, she inaugurated the “Nonprofessionals” lecture series at EPFL in Lausanne, further showcasing her commitment to architectural education and dialogue.
A Fresh Perspective for Beta
As curator, Stănescu is set to leverage her multidisciplinary expertise and deep understanding of contemporary architecture. The organizers of Beta anticipate a uniquely innovative biennial under her guidance. Established by the Romanian Order of Architects – Timiș Territorial Branch, Beta is a cultural project that unites top architects, urban planners, designers, and artists. It serves as a platform for showcasing work, fostering collaboration, and exploring the future of the built environment. The theme for the fifth edition of Beta will be unveiled in early spring.
[Photo Credit: Beta – Timișoara Architecture Biennial]
