NEVER REPETITIVE, ALWAYS EMBRACING EXPERIMENTATION
Onar Stănescu and Ioana Chifu transformed their shared passion and vision for space and objects into a studio of their own—a creative practice where ideas are explored freely, experimentation is embraced, and the boundaries between art and design are continually redefined. Furniture design remains their guilty pleasure, offering the creative freedom that architecture does not always allow. Through their curatorial work at Grotto Gallery, they have also embraced another role—that of cultural facilitators and advocates for the local creative community.
Photography by Alex Galmeanu
LD: Tell us a little about the story behind Muromuro Studio. When was the practice founded, who makes up the team, and what services do you offer?
O.S.: Muromuro Studio was founded in 2019 as the natural continuation of an important early achievement: winning first prize at the third edition of Ubikubi's object design competition, an initiative dedicated to emerging architects and designers. That experience encouraged us to turn our shared passion into a studio of our own—a place where we could explore ideas with complete creative freedom.
The core team consists of the two of us, Onar Stănescu and Ioana Chifu, united by a shared vision of space and objects. Depending on the nature of each project, we occasionally collaborate with other architects and specialists, but the core of the studio remains unchanged.
Our work spans a broad range of commissions, from public and private architecture to residential, commercial and exhibition interiors. The field that fascinates us most, however, is furniture and object design—particularly collectible furniture and functional art. It is where we feel most free to express ourselves, creating meaningful connections between utility and aesthetics.
Photography by Vlad Patru
LD: If you had to distil the essence of Muromuro Studio, how would you describe your practice? What are the Mission, Vision and Values that define the studio?
I.C.: We are guided by the belief that spaces and objects should tell a coherent, personal story while remaining functional. Our practice explores the tension between old and new, between the finished and the unfinished, through the use of unconventional materials and alternative approaches that challenge traditional aesthetic conventions.
Muromuro Studio is driven by a spirit of continuous exploration. We want to remain a practice that embraces experimentation, where the boundaries between design and art dissolve. We want every project to have its own distinct identity—never repetitive, always unique.
Our experimental approach places us in a distinct position. We are not seeking recognition through a repetitive formal vocabulary, but rather in being remembered for the experience we create between people and space. We are far more interested in how a place feels than in how it captures attention at first glance.
LD: What would you like prospective clients to see in Muromuro Studio that sets you apart from other architectural practices? Do you believe there is something in your philosophy or way of working that clearly distinguishes you from your peers?
I.C.: The relationship we build—with both our clients and our projects—is founded on dialogue and a genuine understanding of context. We see every intervention as a process of exploration, where ideas evolve organically. Through this exchange, each project takes shape not simply as an architectural object, but as a response to real needs, specific contexts and the hidden potential of a space.
Photography by Sabin Prodan
Interview by Monica Ady
Discover the full version of this interview in Volume IV.