Tampa Cableway
Revitalizing heritage through design: enhancing accessibility and modernizing of Tampa Cableway Station, with cohesion and respect for history.
Location - Brasov, Romania
Client - Ana Teleferic
Area - 590 sqm
Team - Andreea Tudorancea, Cristina Verenciuc, Ingrid Zarnovean, Liviu Zarnovean.
Status - In progress
Restoring Tampa Cableway: Bridging Heritage and Modernity
Inaugurated in the summer of 1970, the Tampa Cableway has been an integral part of Brașov's identity for over half a century. On October 13, 2024, the original 53-year legacy of this iconic structure came to a close, making way for a new chapter.
The Golden Stag Festival and the Birth of the Cableway
Few people know that the Golden Stag Festival played a pivotal role in the construction of the cableway. Built in 1971, alongside a television relay tower on Tampa's peak, this ambitious project was driven by the city’s aspirations to modernize. Initially, plans included a rotating restaurant, akin to the one in Vienna. However, Ceausescu approved only a more modest restaurant—today’s Panoramic—cementing Tampa’s place as a local treasure.
The ongoing revitalization of the Tampa Cableway aims to honor its historical significance while addressing modern needs. A complete overhaul of the installation includes several transformative upgrades to enhance accessibility and functionality. Key interventions include the addition of an elevator for disabled access and the redesign of circulation flows to improve overall user experience.
The base station of the cableway is also undergoing a visual transformation, aligning with the rehabilitation and reopening of the Panoramic restaurant. This approach carefully balances contemporary architectural expression with respect for the building’s socialist-era roots.
Design Principles. Legibility and Cohesion
The redesign follows the principle of "legibility of the intervention," ensuring that modifications clearly reflect their era while preserving the building’s historical essence. Contemporary architectural elements, characterized by clean and simple lines, contrast with the original structure’s socialist aesthetic, creating a dialogue between past and present.
At the finishing level, cohesion was achieved through harmonizing elements. Wooden inserts which were inconsistent with the socialist style were removed, and curtain walls replaced certain areas to enhance clarity and modernity. A concrete-textured structured plaster was applied, uniting the facade with a minimalist aesthetic.
These thoughtful adjustments bridge the historical and the contemporary, revitalizing the Tampa Cableway as a symbol of Brasov’s enduring spirit and evolving identity.
