The reconstruction of the Central Halls in Sofia and the new Farmers' Market in Blagoevgrad received major awards in the sixth edition of the "Bulgarian Architecture Awards 2024" competition, organized by the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria (CAB). Traditionally, the awarded projects are nominated for participation in the most prestigious competition of the European Union for contemporary architecture - “Miss van der Rohe”.
Deputy Minister of Culture Amelia Gesheva announced the winner of the grand prize in the category “Protection of cultural and historical heritage”. The project for the reconstruction and remodeling of the Central Halls in Sofia received the award. Its authors are arch. Maria Popmarkova, arch. Irena Belcheva and arch. Andrei Khodkevich. The building was built in the period 1909-1911 according to the project of arch. Naum Torbov and was declared a cultural monument. The project aims to conserve and restore the facade of the ancient building in its authentic form. The changes in the interior were inspired by the original design of the building and follow its original planning scheme, adapting it to the requirements of modern commercial activity.
The deputy mayor for culture of the Metropolitan Municipality, Yana Genova, presented the grand prize in the “New projects” category. The prize is for the reconstruction of the Farmer's Market in Blagoevgrad, realized according to a project by United Master Architects. The goal is the transformation of the area into a modern, attractive and multifunctional public space, which expands and develops the city's pedestrian zone and becomes a new urban accent and magnet.
7 special awards were presented within the competition. Three of them are in the category “Protection of cultural and historical heritage“
Conservation, restoration and socialization of a Thracian tomb and cult complex “Ostrusha“ under the "Virtual Heritage" project. The temple complex is located on the land of Shipka village, Kazanlak Municipality and was opened in 1993. by Georgi Kitov. The goal of the project is to build a permanent protective and exhibition cover that will create suitable conditions for the preservation and exhibition of the archaeological complex.
Restoration and socialization of Herakleia Sintika according to the project of the “Archika“ studio. The ancient city is located near Petrich, the town of "Rupite". During the archaeological excavations, led by Prof. Vagalinski for more than a decade, the forum, residential and artisan quarters, part of the fortress wall and the acropolis of the city were revealed. The project is aimed at preserving the material, visual and functional authenticity of the archaeological site.
Hotel Bizzare by Arhis Project. It is located in the protection zone of the reserve “Odessos– Varna“ near the port and the train station. In the middle of ΧΙΧ century here was a lively commercial and warehouse center with numerous stone warehouses. The project includes the restoration of the stone facade, upgrading and adaptation of the building as a hotel with an establishment for the purpose of socialization in an immovable cultural heritage environment.
The four special awards in the category “New projects” are:
Apartment M, designed by “Atelier Indjova Angelov”. The project is inspired by the environment in which it is located – in the heart of the Rhodopes. The concept is based on the intention to bring the atmosphere of the traditional Rhodopean architecture into modern times. The apartment is located on the top floor of a modern residential building.
Healing Island by Think Forward project represents the socialization of a neglected green space on “Oborishte” next to the "Gurko" parking lot; in Burgas. Designed as a healthy urban space, in which every element of the environment has a healing purpose, the park supports the creation of healthy habits through communication with nature, aromatherapy, sound and water therapy, physiotherapy.
Hotel Hello Plovdiv, designed by Simple Architecture, is located in a strategic location in the city, in close proximity to the International Fair. The project is a complete interior and exterior renovation of an existing hotel known as Hotel Nord. The goal is to modernize the appearance and branding of the hotel, and for the building to find its conceptual connection with the context of the city.
MIR office building according to the project of arch. Petar Tornyov was built in the historical center of Sofia. The main approach to the building forms a kind of piazza, which is a natural extension of the street space to the building and leads to an inner green courtyard - a garden. The facades of the building are a monolithic grid of exposed concrete and large-scale windows with aluminum frames.
Traditionally within the “Bulgarian Architecture Awards” was awarded a prize for overall creativity on behalf of the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria. The distinction was awarded to Prof. Dr. Arch. Ivan Nikiforov, who left bright traces in the construction of Bulgarian cities from the second half of the twentieth century to today. His creative path is connected with the creation of many functional plans, urban centers, residential areas, public facilities, complex multi-functional urban areas, designed in an individual way and tropical, traditional and tragic places.
A total of 34 projects participated in the sixth edition of the “Bulgarian Architectural Awards” competition. They were divided into two categories - 25 projects for new construction and 9 for the preservation of cultural and historical heritage. It is the most significant professional and non-commercial architectural competition that stimulates good practice and quality works of architectural art. A distinctive feature of the competition is the impartial international jury of architects with notable buildings and achievements in their portfolios. This year, the chairman of the jury was Arne Emerson - a partner in Morphosis with over 27 years of experience in the architectural field, author of numerous projects in the USA, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Projects in the heritage protection category were evaluated by a separate jury chaired by Prof. Dr. Arch. Todor Krastev.
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