Ion Mincu: Innovator of Romanian Architecture

Ion Mincu is known as the founder of the Romanian National Style, but his work shows

a more flexible approach. Rather than trying to invent a fixed national identity,

he focused on designing buildings that respected their function, location, and local traditions

while staying connected to European architectural ideas. Mincu believed architecture had to reflect both

practical needs and cultural context. In the Central School for Girls, he used Romanian

motifs like ceramic decoration, arches, and wooden details, but he justified

them through the building’s educational role. His goal was to make a space that

felt pleasant, healthy, and suited to the climate and daily life of its users.