Tuesday, 3 November 2026
Seven studios nominated for Architectural Studio of the Year at the CIJ Awards Romania 2026 reflect the different approaches shaping the country’s residential, commercial and mixed-use property markets.
Romania’s architectural industry is operating in an increasingly demanding property market, where design quality must be balanced with construction costs, regulatory requirements, sustainability expectations and commercial performance. The seven nominations for Architectural Studio of the Year at the CIJ Awards Romania 2026 illustrate how architectural practices are responding to these challenges through different combinations of creative design, technical coordination and project delivery.
The nominees – BL Associates, Deco Architects, DRS-Architects, Korekt Concept, Modern City Development, Prographic and YODA Interior Design – represent a broad range of specialisations. Their portfolios extend from large retail and residential developments to corporate workplaces, premium interiors and investment properties. Although their activities differ, the submissions highlight the growing importance of architecture as both a design discipline and a practical contributor to property development.
BL Associates demonstrates an integrated approach through projects including Stejarii Country Club, Green Lake Smart Living, the Miele flagship store at City Gate and Nordului 50. Its work combines architecture, interior design, materials, furniture and implementation, particularly within premium residential and commercial environments. The studio also reports involvement in major banking and corporate projects across Romania. Its nomination places emphasis on creating consistent design solutions across multiple stages of development, although fewer details are provided about specific completions during 2026.
Deco Architects, established in Bucharest in 2006, presents a portfolio focused on residential and mixed-use development. Queens District reached completion during the assessment period and is associated with a Romanian Architecture Award, while Quartier Azuga was completed in 2026. Another residential project, BHB Eden, progressed through design and permitting. These developments illustrate the studio’s approach to contemporary urban architecture, combining functional planning with attention to materials, building proportions and integration into existing neighbourhoods.
DRS-Architects highlights the extension of Arena Mall Bacău as its principal achievement during 2026. Opened in April, the development increased the shopping centre’s floor area from approximately 24,600 sqm to more than 42,000 sqm. The studio’s responsibilities included concept development, permitting, technical design, construction documentation and assistance during implementation. The project also introduced additional food and beverage facilities, terraces and landscaped public areas, reflecting the wider shift in shopping centre design towards mixed retail and leisure environments. DRS-Architects also reports continued work with international retailers and involvement in residential, hospitality and conversion projects.
Korekt Concept brings more than two decades of experience across architectural design, planning, structural coordination and building transformation. Its services cover residential, commercial, office and industrial properties, together with renovation, restoration and changes of building use. The nomination emphasises the importance of technical compliance, efficient space utilisation and coordination between architectural and engineering disciplines. While the submission does not identify individual projects delivered during 2026, it illustrates the role of multidisciplinary practices in managing increasingly complex development requirements.
Modern City Development approaches architecture primarily through its responsibilities as a General Design Consultant. Its nominated portfolio includes work associated with Nusco, Vulcan Residence, Cosmopolis and NEPI Rockcastle. These projects involve coordinating architectural, structural and building services disciplines across residential, office and retail developments. The submission highlights technical integration, regulatory compliance and the management of design requirements across large construction programmes, although it provides limited detail about individual project milestones achieved during the awards period.
Prographic, with more than 30 years of experience, places particular emphasis on workplace architecture and interior design. The studio describes its work as combining functionality, aesthetics and employee wellbeing, supported by integrated architecture and project management services. Its wider experience includes residential, retail, medical and hospitality-related environments. As corporate occupiers continue to reconsider how offices are used, workplace design remains an important part of the commercial property sector, particularly where flexibility, operational efficiency and the quality of the working environment influence occupier decisions.
YODA Interior Design represents a different segment of the market, concentrating on turnkey residential interiors and investment properties. Established in 2019, the Bucharest-based studio reports delivering more than 150 projects and has developed an integrated model covering design, furniture production, procurement and implementation. Its nominated work includes investment apartments at Prima Vista and Upsite, together with a private residence at BHB. The studio places particular emphasis on controlling fit-out costs, simplifying delivery and creating interiors suited to rental occupation. Its approach reflects the commercial importance of interior design for residential investors seeking to balance initial expenditure with long-term maintenance and tenant requirements.
Taken together, the nominations reveal several developments influencing Romania’s architectural services market. Developers increasingly require practices capable of coordinating multiple technical disciplines, managing approval procedures and maintaining consistency between design concepts and completed buildings. At the same time, residential investors are placing greater emphasis on efficient layouts, durable materials and the financial implications of design decisions. Commercial property owners face similar considerations as they adapt existing buildings to changing occupier expectations.
The submissions also demonstrate the difficulty of comparing architectural practices operating in different market segments. A studio responsible for the technical design of a major shopping centre faces different challenges from one creating a residential development or delivering specialist workplace interiors. Project size, construction value and professional experience are relevant considerations, but none independently determines architectural quality. Design originality, functionality, sustainability, execution and the relationship between buildings and their surroundings remain equally important.
Another distinction lies in the evidence presented for the 2026 assessment period. Some nominees identify completed developments, delivery dates and specific responsibilities, while others describe broader portfolios and professional capabilities. This variation does not necessarily reflect differences in the quality of their work, but it underlines the importance of evaluating documented achievements alongside architectural ambition. A fair comparison must recognise both the creative contribution of each practice and its demonstrated ability to translate design into completed projects.
For Romania’s property industry, the wider significance of these nominations extends beyond the awards themselves. Architecture increasingly influences construction efficiency, asset positioning, tenant experience and the long-term competitiveness of buildings. As developers and investors navigate higher expectations for quality and financial discipline, the ability to combine design expertise with reliable delivery is becoming an important professional advantage.
The Architectural Studio of the Year category at the CIJ Awards Romania 2026 therefore reflects more than competition between individual firms. It offers a perspective on an industry in which creativity, technical knowledge and commercial understanding must operate together. The eventual winner will be determined through the awards process, but the diversity of the nominees illustrates the different ways architectural practices are contributing to Romania’s evolving built environment.
