Architecture studios: Motto Ltd

Main sponsor: City of Burgas

Year of completion: 2020

Materials: Concrete, steel, aluminium

Total area: 8645 m2

City / regional background

Located on the main city square, the NHK Cultural Centre was built in 1975. Its architecture is typical of socialist modernism.

For many years, it was one of the centres of Burgas’ cultural life. The building blended harmoniously into its surroundings, which consisted of low buildings and green areas.

In the 2010s, the square underwent rapid changes. Two new 9-storey buildings were erected, the square was completely redesigned, and a new underground street was built.

After receiving the NHK Cultural Centre as a donation in 2014, the municipality decided to reconstruct and retrofit it through an architectural design competition. The aims were to provide a better level of service to citizens and better integrate the building into the new urban landscape.

The project meets principles set out in a municipal ordinance on The shape of Urban Spaces, Buildings and Architectural Ensembles, which sets specific requirements for the appearance of all components of the built environment, contributing thereby to create a sense of unity on the territory of the city.

Solution

The new look of the surrounding square prompted the architectural studio to rethink the volumetric model of the NHK Cultural Centre. A new steel-made shell was added to the building, changing completely its silhouette, and giving it a contemporary aesthetic that blends in with its surroundings. 

Several ill-advised interventions had been carried out in the past since the construction of the building, preventing easy circulation within it. The project gave the opportunity to rethink and repair the inner configuration of the building, but also to add new spaces and equipment. The new cultural centre comprises eight multi-functional and completely renovated halls (4 halls beforehand), meeting accessibility standards.

When possible, the original volumes, structures and materials that bore the architectural character of the building were preserved. This includes the curtain walls, the marble strips, the mosaics on the floor, the wood panelling of the main hall foyer, the railings. The original concrete structure was reinforced with metal frames.

Thermal insulation, new glazing, heat recovery ventilation systems, new heating system, complete replacement of electrical and plumbing installations improved the energy performance of the building. As a result, operating costs were reduced while the users’ comfort was improved.

Criteria for high-quality (context, sense of place, diversity, beauty)

• The project reintegrates the existing building into contemporary society, adapting its features and functions to the needs of today's users. It provides Burgas inhabitants with a modern, appealing and energy efficient cultural infrastructure.
• The new volumetric-spatial features of the building contribute to reintegrate the place in the contemporary urban landscape. From the inside, the shell gives a sense of unity to all the rooms and contributes thereby to a strong sense of place.
• By removing the glass facades at the main entrance and creating new connections with the courtyard and the square, the new building opens to the outside and invites people to get in.
• The reorganisation of inner spaces and optimisation of the connections between them enable new interactions among all users.
• The project reconciles socialist and contemporary architecture in a modern interpretation of a public building with a cultural purpose. From a distance, the building appears uniform, but as you get closer, you discover the different architectural layers, old and new, that harmoniously blend.

Planning and management

The Municipality of Burgas provided a team of four experts to support the development of the project and ensure its successful delivery:

• a Project Manager, who was an engineer from the “Construction” Department of Burgas Municipality;
• a Project Coordinator, who was an expert from the “Strategic development” Department;
• a Financial Expert from the “Budget and Finance” Department;
• an Expert "Investor control" from the “Construction” Department”.

Budget and financing

The total budget of the project was €4.5 million. It was funded at 90% with European Regional Development Funds, 6% by the State and 4% by the municipality.

Transferable ideas

• Preserve what has a heritage value and reintegrate the whole retrofitted building in a contemporary and modern design.
• Don’t be afraid to integrate new and innovative solutions.
• When planning a cultural centre, diversify the functions available in the building, in order to satisfy multiple needs.