About us

At DRS-Architects, we believe that architecture is the infrastructure of everyday life. The buildings we live, work and meet in shape our gestures, our relationships and the way we treat one another — they are, ultimately, a mirror of the cultural and civilizational level a society has reached. That is why we treat every project as a responsibility, both to the people who will use it and to the city that will host it.

We are a Bucharest-based general design practice that brings architecture, interior design, urbanism and landscape together under one roof. This integrated approach lets us carry a project from the first sketch to completion — through technical due diligence, concept, permitting, construction details, visualisation and project management — without losing the original idea along the way.

We like to work at the leading edge of the discipline, where design and technology meet. Digital tools — from parametric modelling and high-fidelity visualisation to virtual reality and artificial intelligence — are a natural part of how we explore, test and refine our solutions. We are always looking to what comes next, yet we remain convinced that technology is a means, not an end: it does exactly what it is asked to do, without emotion and without judgement. Functional neighbourhoods and quality buildings are born from objectives set by people, from creativity and from professional judgement.

Efficient design is second nature to us. We have delivered complex buildings on tight budgets and schedules, optimising resources without sacrificing quality — and we have the experience of BREEAM Outstanding certified buildings, at the highest standard of performance and sustainability. For us, efficiency never means poorer architecture: the goal is always a space you can genuinely experience as a user — light-filled, coherent, generous and good to inhabit.

The architect's role, as we understand it, is not to side exclusively with the investor or the end user, but to reconcile these interests in a project that is both economically viable and genuinely livable. This is the difference between buildings that age gracefully and those whose problems surface right after handover. We have designed large-scale retail (Arena Mall Bacău, MegaMall Bucharest, City Park Mall Constanța), residential developments conceived for the new urban dweller (Lake House 2), complex hospitality projects (Tuzla Airdrome Hotel, Hotel Mercure Bacău) and public and cultural spaces (Săucești Cultural Centre, architecture competitions). Whatever the scale, we work collaboratively — with clients, engineers, authorities and communities — because good solutions emerge at the intersection of many perspectives.

We value what architecture can do and the way it influences how we live. We believe a society grows through the spaces it builds and inhabits, and the contribution we take on is to raise, project by project, the bar for what a good place to live can be.

Architecture & Engineering

We cover the whole course of a building project under one roof: from technical due diligence and concept, to permitting, construction details and site supervision. We combine engineering rigour with efficient, sustainable design — with experience delivering BREEAM Outstanding certified buildings — without ever sacrificing architecture you can truly experience as a user.

Retail+

Signature street-level view in the golden evening light: in the foreground, the lower white plaster body with its white grid structure and the yellow-accented balconies; above and set back, the tall body clad in anthracite-grey panels, against a sunset sky. The hero image that clearly reads the two contrasting facade systems and the stepped massing.

Residential+

Hospitality+

Propunere teatru in hangarul de la Rulmentul Brasov

Public & Cultural+

From extensions of existing shopping centres to new developments — Arena Mall Bacău, MegaMall Bucharest, City Park Mall Constanța — we design large-scale retail from concept to execution.
See project →

Lake House 2 — a residential development of over 25,000 sqm near Lake Morii — alongside single-family houses and apartment buildings designed for the new urban resident.
See project →

Highly complex buildings such as the Tuzla Airdrome Hotel or Hotel Mercure Bacău — from EU-funds feasibility studies to execution details.
See project →

Cultural centres, pavilions and architecture competitions — from the Săucești Cultural Centre to our proposals for Bamiyan and Feroviarilor Park.

Urbanism

We lay the groundwork for responsible city-making, beyond the scale of a single building. We carry out comprehensive zoning studies — including protection areas for monuments or sites with hazardous materials — urban planning documentation and general master plans. We think the sustainable city, attentive to how inhabited spaces shape the way we live and communities grow.

Project Management

We carry projects from vision to execution, managing quality, budget and time in close coordination with everyone involved. We offer a full range of management and consultancy services: technical due diligence, health & safety coordination, site inspection (dirigenție de șantier), construction planning & programming, and integrated project & construction management consultancy.

Technical Due Diligence+

Health & Safety Coordination+

Site Inspection (Dirigenție de șantier)+

Construction Management & Planning+

We assess the real technical condition of a building or plot before an acquisition or a new project: an architectural, structural, MEP, fire-safety and façade review, with photo documentation. We identify defects and risks, estimate remediation costs and check compliance with current standards and permits, including possible environmental risks — so investment decisions are made with full information.

We prepare health & safety procedures and monitor the contractors on site so that works meet the legal requirements and are carried out in a safe and sustainable environment. Safety coordination accompanies the project from design through to the completion of construction.

We oversee the coordination between execution and the project/beneficiary requirements, as well as the execution phases keeping to the project schedule. We follow the elaboration of the execution documentation and verify the application of all norms and laws relevant to the project, attending the determinant phases and liaising with the designer and the authorities.

When the client needs separate management services, we provide consultancy across the whole project cycle: initiation, time, cost, quality, change and risk management, procurement, contract administration, works supervision and project close-out — representing the client before all parties involved, with regular reporting and a proactive attitude. Planning and programming are among the most important responsibilities of project management. Every construction project is unique, so we plan and schedule the works based on our experience with similar projects and by applying professional judgement to the specific conditions of the current project, in order to meet the set milestones and achieve on-time completion.

Interior Design

Interior design conceived from within architecture, not added on top of it. We start from how people really use a space and cover the whole process: surveys, space planning and functional optimization, execution design and furniture design. We choose durable solutions and materials for interiors that are efficient, sustainable, coherent and a genuine pleasure to inhabit.

Sustainable Design

For us, sustainability is a way of designing, present in every decision: from reusing and refurbishing existing buildings, to low-carbon materials, green technologies and low energy use in operation. We think it across the building's whole life cycle, balancing environmental performance with people's health and comfort. We have the experience of BREEAM Outstanding certified buildings, and for us efficiency always means better architecture.

Reuse and refurbishment+

Low-carbon materials+

Green technologies+

Low energy use in operation+

Comfort, health and durability+

The most sustainable building is often the one that already exists. Before demolishing, we assess the potential for reuse: rehabilitating, strengthening and bringing existing structures back to life, preserving heritage where it exists. We adapt buildings for new uses, keep valuable structure and elements, and in doing so cut construction waste and embodied carbon, giving buildings a new generation of life.

We choose materials designed to reduce the carbon footprint on two fronts. On one hand, local and traditional production — short supply chains, craft and regional materials that lower transport emissions and support the local economy. On the other, inherently low-carbon and, where possible, recycled or bio-based materials with low embodied carbon. We pursue circularity and the ability to reuse materials at the end of their life.

We integrate green technologies from the concept stage, not as a late add-on. Renewable sources (photovoltaics, heat pumps), heat recovery, smart building management, rainwater harvesting and reuse, and nature-based solutions — green roofs and façades. Technology remains a means, not an end: we use it where it brings a real gain in performance and comfort.

We design passive first, then active. Orientation, form, insulation, airtightness and solar-gain control reduce energy demand before any equipment is added. Through energy simulation and envelope optimisation we pursue low-energy buildings with low long-term running costs, with well-considered daylight and ventilation — for real performance in use, not just on paper.

Sustainability does not stop at energy. We look after indoor air quality, thermal, acoustic and visual comfort, daylight and connection to the outdoors — for healthy spaces where people feel well. We design durable buildings, easy to maintain and adapt over time, so that the value of the investment and the quality of the space last well beyond the immediate life cycle.

What clients say

„I recommend DRS Architects as a competent and reliable partner for complex, large-scale developments. We worked together on the ongoing expansion of Arena Mall Bacău — a project that includes enlarging the shopping centre, developing a Hotel Mercure and two residential buildings, all integrated within a single unified masterplan. Although the complexity and pace of the project put the relationship to the test at times, DRS Architects ultimately proved to be a trustworthy partner, through their experience in large-scale integrated developments and the quality of the services they provided. They managed to combine architectural creativity with commercial and operational requirements, constantly adapting to the project's changing conditions. I recommend them for equally ambitious and demanding projects.”

Ovidiu Budeanu · Arena Mall Bacău

„It is my pleasure to recommend DRS Architects, Bucharest, as a trusted and highly capable general designer. I have had the opportunity to work with their team on a number of refurbishment projects in the retail sector, primarily within shopping centres owned by CPI. Our collaborations have included projects ranging from medium-scale refurbishments of 2,000–3,000 sqm to large-scale transformations of over 20,000 sqm. Across this spectrum, DRS Architects consistently demonstrated an impressive ability to deliver high-quality, creative design solutions tailored to the specific needs and constraints of each project. One of the most notable aspects of working with DRS Architects is their adaptability. The retail market often presents rapidly changing circumstances, evolving briefs and tight deadlines, and DRS has proven to be a reliable partner in this environment — responsive, proactive and solution-oriented — while maintaining a strong commitment to design quality and project goals. Their ability to combine creativity with a clear understanding of commercial objectives has made them an invaluable partner for CPI's refurbishment initiatives. I have no hesitation in recommending DRS Architects as a general designer for complex and demanding projects.”

Teofil Popescu · CPI

„It is with pleasure that I recommend DRS Architects, Bucharest, as a capable and reliable local partner for international retail projects. JCA Architects works with them as our local technical partner for Primark Ireland, designing all of their stores in Romania; to date we have successfully completed and opened four stores together, with several more in development. Throughout our collaboration, DRS Architects has consistently proven to be a dependable and professional partner. Their support in navigating the Romanian permitting process, as well as their expertise in checking and revising our designs for compliance with local regulations, standards and customs, has been invaluable. Their responsiveness, technical competence and ability to integrate seamlessly with our design teams have contributed greatly to the successful delivery of these projects. I confidently recommend DRS Architects for any role requiring a skilled, knowledgeable and trustworthy architectural partner in Romania.”

Pat Thoma · JCA Architects, Ireland

„As Project Manager at REWE Romania, it is my pleasure to provide this letter of recommendation for the services offered by Droid Studio and the team coordinated by arch. Andrei Lefter. Starting in spring 2020, Droid Studio was engaged to develop a completely new and unique concept. Throughout our collaboration I was impressed by the professionalism of the design office, the creativity and efficiency of the proposed solutions, and the permitting services delivered. I gladly recommend Droid Studio and its general design services.”

Răzvan Oprea · REWE România

„As manager of D'LUX ESTATE GROUP, between 2019 and 2020 I had the pleasure of working with arch. Andrei Lefter and the Droid Studio design team on the Lake House 2 project — a large residential development totalling over 25,000 sqm. Throughout our collaboration, Droid Studio stood out through professionalism, flexibility and innovation in the design process, generating increased efficiency in both costs and execution deadlines while maintaining the high quality of the solutions. We gladly recommend Droid Studio and its general design services.”

Mihai Luca · D'LUX Estate Group