RECONSTRUCTION OF THE STARA ZAGORA ZOO

Investment characteristics of the site:
Stara Zagora Zoo was established in 1957 and is located on an area of 70 decares. Since its establishment, only partial maintenance repairs have been made, which is why a complete reconstruction is necessary.
The zoo is located in a complete park complex in the northern part of the city and is an integral part of it.
The goal of the renovation is for it to remain inscribed in the general landscape.
Over 50 habitats of more than 400 animals from almost all continents are located on the territory of the Zoo.
The long-standing tradition of successful existence of the Zoo is in a unique combination with the presence of the specialty "Veterinary Medicine" at the Thracian University of Stara Zagora, the Veterinary College, as well as the Wildlife Rescue Center on the territory of the city. All prerequisites have been created for the Zoo to function as a rescue and training center.
The project covers the territory of the Zoo, all its objects and sets the following goals:
1. Geodetic survey and creation of an up-to-date cadastre of the territory.
2. Architectural survey of the existing objects and assessment of the type and degree of reconstruction.
3. Analysis of the infrastructure and a decision for its restoration and development.
The following stages of reconstruction have been applied:
1. Restoration of the object within the existing indicators.
2. Preservation, repair of the internal, expansion and renewal of the external habitat.
3. Creation of a completely new object.

Architecture, design, functionality:

Concept - "barn architecture"
A key concept for the implementation of this project is "barn architecture" or a composition of elements that are different functional and spatial versions of a "barn" type building.
This is an understanding of an economic building, which is on the border between purely residential habitation and the production functions of a farm, in which food can be stored and produced or various types of animals can be raised.
The analysis of the planning scheme, the volumetric spatial solution and the characteristic appearance of this type of building confirms the conclusion that these structures, with their maximally simplified functional, spatial and visual solution, truly represent an architectural image of co-habitation of people and animals in the conditions of a harmonious natural environment. In this architectural image, one can still read the primary force of long-improved pragmatism and a complete fusion of architectural and construction-constructive solutions.

Construction, energy efficiency and technological indicators:

The standards of the Regulation on Universal Design for an Accessible Environment have been applied to all design solutions, as well as the most diverse structures made of wooden profiles.
As a characteristic detail that gives a recognizable style to all objects and the appearance of the entire Zoo, wooden facades and cladding with a sustainable origin of a maximum of 200 km from the site have been used.
Natural stone slabs used for cladding and paving the alleys are either recycled slabs from old alleys or extracted in Bulgaria from open stone quarries at a maximum distance of 200 km.
The elements of the buildings are hydro- and thermally insulated, according to energy efficiency standards, and the roofs are designed to allow the installation of photovoltaic installations.
Green roofs are widely used. All elements of the objects from the foundations to the roof are reliably hydro- and thermally insulated, according to sustainable architecture standards. The roofs of the buildings are designed so that photovoltaic installations can be installed on them at a later stage, which will cover the electricity needs of the object.
The concept for new landscaping along the alleys is for flowering species that attract and support bees. For most of the barrier networks, flowering climbing shrubs are planned, connected to a newly built irrigation system.