Fresh Ideas

After hours spent in traffic jams and circles around central streets in search of parking space, you would probably like to get away from Sofia. Some investors try to offer easy escapades – in residential oases far away from the disadvantages of the city, yet which offer plenty of facilities.

Last year, Mountain View Estates, a development and investment company, organized an architectural contest in order to find the most original and energy-efficient development of a satellite village near Sofia. There were 14 teams participating in the contest which had the task to discover the architectural opportunities of the segment which is still undeveloped in Bulgaria. The company granted trust to the Equity Watch - Research Services.

The specifications of the future building have set high demands for the project which should offer an environment offering proper living conditions. This satellite town project has to feature beautiful nature.  

The investor’s concept is to create a village in close proximity to the capital and offer an alternative lifestyle to residing in polluted urban environment. There are residential, sports and recreation areas projected as well as a public space with entertainment venues and restaurants, a kindergarten, school and all concomitant infrastructure including internal roads.

The area that is to be developed is located 25 km. south of Sofia and connects to Trakia Highway. This 1,005-decare property is located on the territory of Golema Rakovitsa village, region of Elin Pelin. The developed area is estimated to 831,426 sq m.  Going southwest of the property, you can find the dam lake of Ognyanovo. The area is situated in the western parts of Sredna Gora Mountains and connects to Sofiysko Pole. There are two rivers that cross the territory – the rivers of Ravda and Lopusha which flow into the river of Lesnovska.

The project that took the first place at the contest belongs to Arch. Tsvetomir Tsenkov and Arch. Daniela Dimitrova. The design is now entering the next development stage - design concept.

"This project is an example of how one can make the most of the plot’s specific features and create a contemporary habitat by means of using a few, yet carefully considered elements," pointed out in her review Prof. Dr. Arch Veselina Troeva, chairman of the jury. "The suggested modules are well connected to the transport and green systems and give a variety of options for the plans’ diversification," commented Ms. Troeva, an expert at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy in Sofia.

The architects’ concept is to achieve a residential structure in a green area that harmoniously integrates into the existing layout and nature. The park is actually the "green backbone" of the village and provides sufficient space for bicycling, walking or traveling by bus.

 

The properties for individual development are located on the outskirts of the village and offer tranquility and seclusion.  

The residential condominiums have approximate size of 60 to 70 meters depending on the plot and modular network. This type of development allows different residences to be set around a public space. Architects assume the use of this space depends on the very inhabitants and their lifestyle. The residential areas allow people to open a café at ground level or use upper floors for living.

 

The project has been developed as a modular system that provides an option for different space arrangements. There are three residential nuclei and three parks. All the parks have different layouts but each one of them is provided with green tree-dotted alleys that give residential areas a finishing touch and create lovely atmosphere for taking walks.

 

 

The project offers residences different in type and structure.

-         one-level apartments

-         two-level apartments

-         condominiums

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Public centers

 

These are developed in every residential nucleus and are serviced by the main road. The public buildings will accommodate retail, sports and entertainment venues, cultural centers, a kindergarten, hotel units and a nursing home.

Inhabitants can take advantage of entertainment and sports venues such as gym, football pitch, tennis courts, outdoor swimming pool, mini golf etc.

The road network in the village has been developed to feature a main road and secondary connecting streets. The complex is entered from the north and is directly connected to the village of Golema Rakovitsa. The main road features two roadways (each of 3.5 meters width) that allow the free access of public and private vehicles. Green strips divide roadways from cycling ways and pedestrians from bicyclers. All this follows the idea of creating sustainable lifestyle and comfort for both pedestrians and bicycle riders. New streets developed in the complex aim to preserve the environment. Car parks will be developed as well at each 4,000 sq m.