MUNICIPAL MARKET "VASIL SHAKHANOV"

Investment characteristics of the building

The then so-called "Russian Market" is only an emerging object recognized by the population of two neighborhoods as a trading place where industrial goods produced in the former Soviet Union are offered, in the years of the early Bulgarian transition. Subsequently, various types of clothing and all kinds of agricultural produce were added to the goods offered without regulation, which turned the territory into one of the largest markets in Stara Zagora. The place was left without control, reconstructions and changes were carried out, which led to the tragic appearance of the market by 2018, when the Municipality of Stara Zagora announced a competition for the entire area.
The project changes the entire territory on a large scale. The already existing pedestrian connections are strengthened on newly built pedestrian bridges over the river. The expansion of the street, and the construction of a series of roundabouts and pedestrian paths to ease traffic. Continuation of existing bicycle routes, with the aim of overall connectivity. Creation of a new landscaped square with water effects, directly in front of the market building. Construction of an adjacent parking lot with islands of large-sized vegetation that will contribute to the microclimate. The ground floors of the building are equipped with green walls - vertical gardens that purify the air and create a comfortable urban environment.

Architecture, design, functionality

The volumetric and spatial construction of the site seeks the symbol of interaction of previously foreign development zones, which will now complement, contact and mutually penetrate like two intertwined hands.

The leading idea of this project is to transform this place from the periphery of two residential neighborhoods into a place of mutual penetration of the spaces of the "Tri Chuchura South" and "Kazansky" quarters and, with the development of new functional, communication and visual connections, to turn it into an attractive public center.
The territory is treated as a whole, together with the adjacent road, which is being expanded to four lanes, parking lots, bicycle paths and bridge facilities are being built - extensions of existing transport communications.
The aesthetics of the building is a minimalist exterior in white of metal panels with concealed installation, internal concealed gutters and a wide-format suspended aluminum facade, visually in the same plane with the solid elements. The central public service areas are volumetrically and visually separated from the general composition as parallelepipeds with wooden cladding characteristic of the site. The elimination of elements such as eaves and gutters from the facade, in combination with the light color and large-format glazing, emphasize the volume of the building and at the same time place it in clear contrast with the surrounding residential buildings.
It is characteristic of the building that the facades on all sides are treated as equally important. From the east, along the street and the bike path at ground floor level, a series of walls with vertical greenery are located, which help to purify the air and contribute to the character of the building with a seasonally changing "living picture".
In the interior, the dynamically changing environment of people, merchants and goods is framed by characteristic wooden cladding and effective lighting. The volume of the buildings follows the natural terrain of the plot and the street, ensuring unhindered access to all buildings through ramps with a maximum slope of 5%. The building follows the principles of barrier-free and energy-efficient construction.
The structure of the building is left visible in the interior, seeking visual and functional synergy between architecture and supporting structure.

Construction, energy efficiency and technological indicators

The market building is designed to be high-tech, low-energy and to offer different usage scenarios throughout its entire operational period.
Comprehensive hydro and thermal insulation of the foundations and plinths has been built. All geometric and structural thermal bridges have been eliminated. The building envelope consists of thermal panels, respecting the principle of "continuity" of the line of the thermal insulation layer.
The building equipment consists of automated industrial air conditioners with a recovery function to reduce overall costs. All entrances and exits to the halls are through independently air-conditioned "windfangs" with automatic sliding doors to minimize heat loss.
The building's ventilation uses the ecological effect of passive cross-ventilation to bring fresh air into the rooms.
The lighting for the entire area is energy-efficient LED.