Ion Mincu

Ion Mincu (born in 1852 in Focşani, died 1912 in Bucharest) was an architect, engineer,
professor and politician in Romania.He promoted a Romanian style in architecture, by
integrating in his works the specific style of traditional Romanian architecture. As a
recognition to his importance in the Romanian school of architecture, since 1953, the Ion
Mincu University of Architecture and Urbanism in Bucharest bears his name.He was the
teacher of Toma T. Socolescu, another remarkable Romanian architect.From 1895 to 1899
he was member of the Parliament of Romania.

Biography

 1863 - 1871 - studies at Unirea Highschool, in Focsani.

 1871 - 1875 - studies at the National School of roads and bridges, in Bucharest,
becoming an ingineer.
 1877 - 1884 - continues his studies in Paris, at "École des Beaux-Arts", becoming an
architect.
 1883 - is awarded by the Central Association of the French Architects.
 1892 - 1912 - teaches architecture and becomes one of the founding members of
the Architecture School of the Romanian Architects Association.
 1903 - 1912 - he is the president of the Romanian Architects Association
 1895 - 1899 - deputy in the Parliament of Romania

Work

 Lahovari House(1886)
 The Buffet of Kiselev Driveway(1882-1892), now Doina Restaurant
  Robescu House from Sinaia (1897)
 Petrascu House from Romanian Circus (1904)
 Central Girls School from Bucharest (1890)
 Administration Palace from Galati (1905-1906)
 Palace of Trade Bank from Craiova (1906, finished by C. Iotzu in 1916)
 Palace Hall (project)
 War School from Bucharest (project)
 Tombs of Ghica, Cantacuzino, Gheorghieff from Bellu Cemetery(1900-1904)
 He restored the Stavropoleos Church from Bucharest (1904-1910)
 Monteoru House(1887-1888) (Writers Union Center)
 Vernescu House (1887-1889)
 He decorated the interior of Justice Palace from Bucharest (1890-1895)

After graduating in 1875, the School of Engineers of Bridges and Roads in Bucharest, he
studied architecture at the School of Fine Arts in Paris. To create an own style, Mincu
studying medieval artistic heritage, discovering ornamental repertory, stylistic and technical
solutions, which takes in an original synthesis. Most successful of his creations are
characterized by an ideal ratio between the volumes of the building, between empty and full,
between functional and decorative.

The work which will provide affirmation and consecration is Lahovary House considered its
manifesto architecture. Of great simplicity, the house gives the impression of a compact
volume, supported by a simple plan, with rooms on both sides of the outer room. Deep eaves
with rafters carved, is one reason that John Mincu will resume and will use always works with
similar themes. The architect of the House printed Lahovary our monumental architecture
simple peasant, bringing through Foişorului, your privacy they needed. Although his work
spans a period of 30 years, the work of Ion Mincu are few, but different in approach.
Lahovary the house's name link and the House Mincu Vitzu, Monteoru House, House
Robescu and Vernescu House, where the harmony of marble with gilded decorations, which
endow especially ceilings and walls, stained glass and massive rear gave it a Fast impressive.

Central School for girls in Bucharest and Galati Administrative Palace are all public buildings
created by Mincu. The architect has restored Stavropoleos Church, but also created furniture
for the Palace of Justice in Bucharest and Constanta cathedral.

Weaving the coloristic, decorative elements specific Romanian art and architecture with
architecture means cults have resulted in a work of great originality. That's Ion Mincu,
promoter of a Romanian-style architecture, known as neoromânească architecture.

To create an own style, Mincu studying medieval artistic heritage, discovering ornamental
repertory, stylistic and technical solutions, which takes in an original synthesis. Most
successful of his creations are characterized by an ideal ratio between the volumes of the
building, between empty and full, between functional and decorative.
The work which will provide affirmation and consecration is Lahovary House considered its
manifesto architecture. Of great simplicity, the house gives the impression of a compact
volume, supported by a simple plan, with rooms on both sides of the outer room. Deep eaves
with rafters carved, is one reason that John Mincu will resume and will use always works with
similar themes.

The architect of the House printed Lahovary our monumental architecture simple peasant,
bringing through Foişorului, your privacy they needed. Although his work spans a period of
30 years, the work of Ion Mincu are few, but different in approach.

Lahovary the house's name link and the House Mincu Vitzu, Monteoru House, House
Robescu and Vernescu House, where the harmony of marble with gilded decorations, which
endow especially ceilings and walls, stained glass and massive rear gave it a Fast impressive.

LAHOVARY HOUSE
MONTEORU HOUSE

VERNESCU HOUSE
CENTRAL GIRLS SCHOOL