The Triangular Tower of Serdica

In the basement of the emblematic in the past “Sofia” store in the very heart of the capital city is the northernmost triangular tower of the fortification system of ancient Serdica. The aim of the project is to rehabilitate a forgotten site and to refurbish it as a space for cultural events and art, while showing the archaeological structures to the public. In the basis of our approach was the nature of the place as an underground space. That is why we left it raw and unvarnished and juxtaposed all the layers of the place – the archaeological ruins, the typical terrazzo flooring of the former shop, and the steel reinforcing structure. We wanted to create an unexpected and exciting space by giving the visitor the adventure of going down under the city, and by using the contrast of light and dark, white and black, smooth and rough.

  • Authors:
    Donika Georgieva and Miroslav Velkov (Atelier 3), Dragomir Nikolov (ADM Studio)
  • Collaborators:
    Krasimira Frangova (conservation), Konstantin Velinov (structural engineer), Albena Kaneva (WSS), Greta Nedyalkova (electrical engineer), Gregory Markov (lighting design), Tsvetan Milotinov (HVAC)
    Georgi Nedelchev (technical drawings)
    Photo credits: Tsvetomir Dzhermanov (ABCDSpace), Elena Panayotova, Miroslav Velkov, Donika Georgieva
  • Year: 2016-2017
  • Client: Sofia Municipality, Sofia History Museum
  • Status: completed
  • Status:
    Special award, Bulgarian Architecture Awards 2018
    Nominee, Mies van der Rohe Award 2019
    Winner, BIG SEE Architecture Awards 2019
    Nominee, WhATA Awards 2017
  • More Info:
    The project is realised with the financial help of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2009-2014
  • Website: https://miesarch.com/work/3770