Description: Renovation and Extension Surface: 26 448m² Client: Ministry of culture Conception: 2010The new museum complex is intended to shelter the national Bulgarian treasure in the field of art. The building is designed as a unique cultural complex keeping all up-to-date demands and is easily accessible to the public. The composition represents a dialogue of contradiction and interconnection between two main elements: On one hand, the "framework” formed by the existing buildings, even though different, is static, rectangular and represents the tradition and the established order. On the other hand, the "core” or the inner yard, covered with an elliptical glass dome, unifies the building with the oval ramps as one and portrays modernity, dynamics and fantasy. The 20-meter high monumental atrium shelters an entrance hall, panoramic elevators, spatial stairs, and an elliptical spiral ramp and it provides an easy, smooth, and uninterrupted passage to all levels of the expositions. The shape of the atrium and its glass dome can be associated with a giant eye open to the world and the cosmos. These are symbols of the vision and fine arts, of curiosity and thirst for spirituality.
The entrance hall, though functioning as a social and communicative space, could be used as a polyvalent public square with over a 1000 seats where some significant cultural forums, audiovisual performances and events could be organized. Here are situated the pay desk, café, bookshop, and the entrance to the conference and the temporary and permanent exhibitions as well. The atrium is perceived as a large covered place of culture that is daily open and accessible like the Louvre Pyramid and the British Museum Entrance Hall.
The exhibition areas are increased from 3500 square meters up to 15 000 square meters and the most important is that one third of them are over 5-meter-high and are provided with zenith roof light. In this manner the last level of the permanent exhibition takes up 4300 square meters with zenithal indirect natural light equally dispersed in the vaulted ceilings. The best masterpieces of the museum collection could be exposed here. The panoramic restaurant’s vault is treated with the same type of roofing and lighting. The restaurant is situated on the forth level of the museum center. The large temporary exhibition (3000 square meters) is an important part for the museum complex. It is set on the level of the existing inner yard just below the atrium. In its broad part the temporary exhibition has over 5-meter height, natural upper light, and a possibility to be divided into sectors where several different temporary exhibitions can take place simultaneously.
The project could be defined as both classical and modern, minimalistic and dynamic, uniting elements of European architecture with these of Bulgarian tradition. These elements are best expressed by the use of stylized decorative elements. The Bulgarian ornamentation called “Elbetitsa” is recognized frequently in the openwork metal bars, the glass architectural details in both interior and exterior. This emblematic element is often seen in the centuries-old Bulgarian history from Proto-Bulgarian times to nowadays symbolizing the harmony in the world and in human behavior. In Mediaeval times the element was a personification of Bulgarian power and nowadays it embodies the eternal life of the nation and striving for a renewal of the country. This airy ornament contrasts the massive stone cladding of the whole building unit that is designed with the same material as the National Gallery of Foreign Art and in this way uniformity has been achieved. All new fragments in the facades are treated with openwork membranes of the symbolic decoration made of imprinted glass or perforated steel. Additionally, these symbolic facade elements remove the direct light in the exhibition rooms and filtrate the natural light. From another point of view, they contribute to the whole novel and artistic outlook of the most significant and major cultural center in Bulgaria.
Spatial and Functional Organization:
The building of the National Gallery of Foreign Art does not undergo any transformations in the façade and its inside functional organization. The rest of the edifices – reconstructed and new- is harmonized with the National Gallery of Foreign Art in several ways: on one hand, the roof form and its proportions and on the other hand, the unification of the employed materials. No imitations could be incorporated because the prototype would be depreciated. It is about seeking a thorough all-embracing and harmonic ensemble in which the separate edifices will keep their character and at the same time will complement to a full polyphonic work of art.
The project does not include any redundant expenses or fancy materials. The role of the most significant museum institution in the country is achieved by the quality of the inner spaces and their functional advantages, by the totality of the harmonic ensemble, as well by the power of the modest Bulgarian architectural detail.
