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Sofia Multifunctional Complex, Bulgaria Building, Project, News, Design, Image
Sofia Multifunctional Complex Bulgaria : Architecture
Urban Development by Foster + Partners in Bulgaria, Europe
Sofia Multifunctional Complex

images : Foster + Partners
Foster + Partners masterplan draws on the contours of the historical
trade route bisecting the country and the elegant language of vernacular
architecture to forge a new, thoroughly contemporary district for
the city. The world-class architecture and amenities of the new development
are intended to draw international business to the area and forge
the development's reputation as the second major centre of Bulgaria's
capital. At the heart of Foster + Partners' design is a central park,
conceived to give back the green space to the people of Sofia, who
had long been denied access to the site due to its military nature.
Taking the circle - the symbol of round table democracy - as the starting
point, the three primary functions of the buildings (European Union
Agency, Knowledge Centre, and Exhibition Centre) were then expressed.
The circle then evolved during the design process to take the form
of a curved triangle, accommodating each of these different building
types and responding to the natural contours of the site at the edge
of the mountains. These three 'magnets' are expressed through the
architecture: the high rise building, which contains the European
Union Agency, defines the entrance to the masterplan and creates a
new landmark, encircled by a public plaza, while the architectural
language of the Knowledge Centre and Exhibition Centre is in contrast
to the surrounding development.
The buildings are anchored and the space between is defined by an
extensive central park, with fingers of vegetation stretching out
towards the city. The different heights of the buildings then rise
and fall in a gentle wave around its perimeter in response to the
path of the sun. Within each volume, a large void has also been created
to function as an internal courtyard and further contribute to the
scheme's progressive environmental strategy.
Curving around the outer edge in the south of the site allows the
exhibition buildings to maximise the available internal open space
and accommodate a flexible range of large-scale shows and trade fairs.
The open, commercial character of this point in the triangular plan
will extend to influence the adjoining office street, echoing aspects
of the city's strategic location along the trade route to Istanbul.
The Knowledge Centre, anchoring the buildings to the north of the
scheme will function as a lively forum for learning, debate, exploration
and entertainment and also serve as an accessible extension of the
public realm. The low-rise nature of much of the Sofia masterplan
provides a measured counterpoint to the tower, which will enjoy views
of the park and mountains beyond as well as providing a marker for
the development from the wider city.

Multifunctial Complex, Sofia Competition
Sofia, Bulgaria
2008-09
Client: Government of Bulgaria
Programme: Mixed-use Masterplan
Competition: 2008 - Apr 2009
Site Area: 632,000m²
Breakdown of Sofia Multifunctional Complex Masterplan:
Housing 90,000 m²
Retail 140,000 m²
Office 300,000 m²
Hotel 150,000 m²
Park 100,000 m²
Exhibition Hall 60,000 m²
Knowledge Centre 50,000 m²
Other 240,000 m²

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Buildings by this
architect
Beijing Airport Building
Smithsonian Institute
City of Justice Madrid
Also by Foster + Partners in Bulgaria:
Black Sea Gardens
2007-
images © Foster + Partners
Bulgaria Resort

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Sofia Multifunctional Complex Building : page
- adrian welch / isabelle lomholt |
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