WWF Romania, alongside the local community in Armenis (Caras Severin) and innovators in sustainable architecture, has begun work on Romania’s first urban-rural collaboration campus, WeWilder.
The total investment in the project will be EUR 200,000, and the center aims to be a meeting place for freelancers, corporate teams, artists, entrepreneurs, and locals, all to form a circular economy network located in the heart of nature.
WeWilder is a prototype of Panda Labs, WWF’s innovation division, developed in response to the rural community’s need to develop substantially and sustainably from the wilderness surrounding them.
With a USD 100,000 grant won from the global company Flex, which also has a headquarters in Timisoara, WeWilder aims to be an example of green architecture and a model for implementing a green micro-economy with an echo throughout the region.
This year, the WeWilder campus will consist of three wooden cottages, called “Chilii” (Cells), and a central space, named “Zana” (The Fairy), which houses a coworking area, a community kitchen, and a library.
The cottages were designed as autonomous spaces equipped with a kitchenette and a laptop workspace, so that one or two people can work without coming into contact with others.
The space follows the philosophy of invisible architecture, meaning the integration of constructions into nature in terms of appearance, materials, and the interior experience through glass facades opening to the panorama of the Tarcu Mountains and the spectacular surrounding hills.
The materials chosen for construction respect the vision of sustainable development in the spirit of respecting nature, which would not have been possible without the expertise of technical partners: Tukuma Works, Tehnica Schweiz, Rothoblaas, Welde, Festool, and Saint-Gobain Glass. The constructions are made of wood with traceable origin, and the insulation is made of reused wood fiber. The WeWilder campus under construction is complemented by a network of houses in the village or in the middle of nature, which are being renovated alongside the villagers, who are already receiving guests, and the MuMA Hut, a living experience in a local’s orchard, nominated this year at Beta – the Timisoara Architecture Biennial.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WeWilder project?WeWilder is Romania’s first rural co-working campus, located in Armenis, Caras-Severin, designed to foster urban-rural collaboration and a circular economy.
Who is behind the funding of WeWilder?The project involves a total investment of EUR 200,000, supported by WWF Romania and a USD 100,000 grant from the global company Flex.
What kind of accommodation and workspaces are available?The campus features three autonomous wooden cottages called “Chilii” and a central hub named “Zana,” which includes a coworking space, community kitchen, and library.