Mario Kuibus, the manager of Re-Act Now Studio, has always wanted to be an architect, as this profession allows one’s personal opinions to be considered by the society. When he was eight-nine years old, as he does now, he believed that the architect, like the doctor, is “a great figure”, whose opinions are important for the society.
As for the idea to make his profession a business as well, Kuibus says “the architect is not only an artist, but also a good manager able to co-ordinate the diversity of his actions and of the disciplines he uses.” If the passion for this profession is genuine, as not all the architects may have inspiration, this is the key to success.
While practising a liberal profession, the manager of Re-Act thinks that, besides the prosperity of the company he runs, the cultural contribution is important as well: “The latest company exhibition I have organised also carried a message to the domestic political class, saying that architecture should be perceived as a civilisation and civilising tool for the society and a window for the city.”
Re-Act, which was founded six years ago under another name, faced the most difficult times in December 1998, when the company actually started its way again, having a new attitude, different concepts and a stronger orientation to architecture production. Kuibus says that last year was the best since the reference date of 1998 and this year is going to be “even better”.
He is optimistic about the attitude and taste changes and, generally speaking, about the clients’ aesthetic behaviours and needs. The company estimates about 4 billion lei in turnover by the end of this year, while the profit will be re-invested, as it happened during the past years.
“It is a little amount, but our policy is to get involved in projects that are less important from the financial point of view, but are more important from the prospective and exhibit point of view,” says Re-Act manager.
He thinks that in this stage of his business evolution, it is important to be “diverse and open in the activities” and, most of all, to know how to display your offer, as one’s own portfolio reveals soundness to the possible clients.
Despite all the predictable or unpredictable difficulties, the architecture company performed several withstanding works mainly for private clients: Atlantic Business Center, a business centre for Tornado (and another one to be built for the same company in the future), as well as the architecture and indoor design for a hotel located near Otopeni International Airport, housing for private persons and works for the Finance Ministry.
As for the works for the state-owned partners, Kuibus says it is a difficult thing: “there are many persons who have to grant agreements, so there are a lot of concerns. A strong hand at the development department may solve these problems.”
Besides the bureaucracy, Kuibus’ troubles are linked with the banks’ reluctance when a loan is asked for.