Maria Militza Sion papers 1986-1999

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694

Summary

Language:
Romanian

Background

Scope and content:

Architect and artist in Romania. Papers include her résumé, a company dossier, photographs and photocopies of portions of her work showing projects such as Imobil Locuinte and a residential building in Bucharest, art work and correspondence.

Biographical / historical:

Maria Militza Sion studied at Ion Mineu Institute of Architecture (1955-1961) and began her professional career there also (1961-1966). She then moved and joined Project Bucuresti Design Institute (1974-1978). For almost ten years, from 1978 to 1986 Sion was involved in the modernization and redevelopment of the center of Miercurea Ciue City in Transilvanya. She designed apartment buildings, a hotel, and a large shopping area.

In 1990 most of the state design organizations in Romania closed down. Sion decided in 1992 to open a private office in partnership with her younger colleague Marina Neagu Sadoveanu (b. 1946). Their first large project was the Holiday Inn Resort in Sinaia for which Sion won a competition in 1990. They have also designed private houses in Sion and Bucharest, as well as office buildings and apartments.

The office of Maria Militza Sion also built several orphanages. At this time, orphans and abandoned children are a big social problem in Romania. Some old orphanages still function in dilapidated buildings. In comparison, the orphanage in Calarasi, Romania designed and built (1997-1998) by Sion's office was a new program in providing separate rooms for groups of 8 children, between 2 and 6 years old. They also built another orphanage in Turnu Severin.

Maria Militza Sion is also an artist. She received the 1976 annual award for graphic art and the 1981 special award of the Jury for Graphic Art.

Acquisition information:
The material in the collection was donated in summer 1999 by Maria Militza Sion by way of Milka Bliznakov.
Physical description:
1.0 cu. ft.