Liviu Gligor

Liviu Gligor serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Technical Sciences at Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urbanism (UAUIM) in Bucharest, Romania. With over three decades of academic and professional engagement since 1990, he has established himself as a leading specialist in architectural conservation, particularly focusing on Transylvanian heritage sites and the structural applications of metal in historical architecture. His work uniquely bridges theoretical research with hands-on restoration projects across Sibiu County.

Education:

• Architecture Faculty, Ion Mincu Institute of Architecture, Bucharest (1981-1987)
• Doctor in Architecture (2002)

Gligor's research centers on the conservation of religious and vernacular architecture, with particular expertise in iron structural systems (1850-1944), Saxon fortified churches, and traditional Transylvanian building techniques. His investigations extend to urban regeneration challenges in historic centers, emphasizing community-based conservation models and practical rehabilitation methodologies. The scholar advocates for adaptive reuse strategies that balance authenticity with functional requirements, as evidenced by his fieldwork in Mărginimea Sibiului and collaborative projects with German cultural institutions. His approach integrates material science with cultural anthropology to address conservation pathologies in earthquake-prone regions.

Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent thematic focus on metal's structural role in Romanian architecture, with increasing attention to contemporary conservation dilemmas in post-socialist contexts. His work demonstrates methodological evolution from technical documentation (1990s) toward interdisciplinary heritage management frameworks (2010s), consistently prioritizing Transylvania's multicultural architectural legacy. Key threads include ironwork craftsmanship, church conservation diagnostics, and sustainable maintenance protocols for vernacular structures.

Scientific Awards:

• Third Prize, Watercolor Painting Camp - OAR Vale village, Sibiu County, 2009
• MTCT Prize within GTZ Sibiu Project (collective), 2004
• Ministry of Culture Prize for GTZ Sibiu Project (collective), 2003
• Arhitext Design Magazine Restoration Prize for Floresti Monastery project (collective), 1993
• Mention by Plastic Artists for 'Casa din noi' in 'Gânduri despre casa poporului' contest (collective), 1991

As principal investigator for five CNCSIS research grants (1997-2007) on metal architecture and collective housing rehabilitation, Gligor has secured significant funding for documenting Romania's industrial architectural heritage. His mentorship extends to coordinating UAUIM's student conservation workshops since 2015, including the Schoenberg Live Studio summer programs (2021-2022) and annual restoration exhibitions (2012-2021). These initiatives train students in practical techniques through hands-on projects like the Trumpet Tower clock restoration in Mediaș and Orthodox church door rehabilitation in Vale village.

His professional practice operates at the intersection of academia and field conservation, directing over a dozen major projects including the UNESCO-listed Biertan fortified church ensemble (2016) and Caraiman Peak Cross monument (2018). Current collaborations with Brukenthal National Museum and Mihai Eminescu Trust Foundation demonstrate his embeddedness in Transylvania's conservation ecosystem, where he develops context-specific solutions for Saxon heritage sites through the Romanian-German GTZ framework.