The Ion Mincu Institute of Architecture is located in a building built in Romanian style, made of faceted stone, erected between 1912 and 1927 according to the projects of the architect Grigore Cerchez.
The building stands out for its picturesque beauty and the rich details of the carved ornamentation, inspired by the art of the Brancovene period. Between 1963 and 1968, the institute building was extended by a new wing towards Edgar Quinet and Academie streets.
In Romania, architecture education in its modern form has its origins in 1892. The Higher School of Architecture, known today as the Ion Mincu Institute of Architecture, was founded in 1904.
Ion Mincu (1852-1912) was the founder and main figure of the national school of architecture in the last part of the 19th century. He had a significant role in promoting architecture education and integrated traditional elements of Romanian architecture in his works, such as gazebos, carved wooden pillars, arches and capitals. Notable buildings made in this style, called Neo-Romanian, include the Roadside Buffet and the Central Girls' School.
