Troykata Cultural and Administrative Centre, Burgas

Competition entry for the site between Troykata Square and Baba Ganka Square in the centre of Burgas, known to the citizens as "the Hole". The brief asks for new cultural and administrative functions, while the citizens want more greenery. The answer is a building that is a park: the whole built-up area is given back to the city as a planted roof.

Concept

The structure sinks into and rises out of the ground. Green ramps and terraced gardens carry the park from ground level onto the building. From above the complex is almost invisible, and its silhouette of wave-like lines makes it recognisable without dominating. At both ends of the new diagonal axis between the two squares there are open amphitheatres that work as urban stages and, in everyday life, as the city's living room.

Programme

Two above-ground bodies share a common basement. The western zone is for culture: a main foyer as an indoor square, a stage bar open to the park, a 400 m² main hall with telescopic seating, a chamber hall and an exhibition hall, a community centre with training rooms and a co-working space, and residential studios for visiting artists. The eastern zone is for administrative services: a library and media centre, citizen service halls, a conference block and flexible offices. Underground there is parking for 210 cars, scenery stores and plant rooms.

Climate

The extensive green roof is a climate shield: it reduces overheating in summer, retains rainwater and filters dust. The envelope has no thermal bridges, the glazing differs by orientation, ventilation uses heat recovery of up to 85 % and air conditioning is decentralised by zone.

Figures

Footprint 2680 m². Gross floor area 4000 m². Underground construction 14,600 m². Green areas 5450 m², of which 2000 m² trees. 210 parking spaces.