National Planetarium

Project idea

"... in the midst of a space of flowers"
The environment gives rise to the physical and emotional rationale of the architectural proposal. The volumetric solution, an echo of Vitosha Mountain and the Botanical Gardens, Sofia, Bulgaria, creates a warm and friendly atmosphere for visitors. The principle is to create spacious spaces, gradually interrupted by walkways, supported by stripes of natural light, giving pulsation and dynamics. Infinite and vast, the space is the primeval stimulus to explore and reach "spaces" and "half-spaces" - visitors are "in", "out", and "between". The building has four walkable green roofs - flower gardens, a reference to the botanical gardens accessible to guests; an amphitheater square blurring the boundaries for the perception of “outside” and “inside”. It is situated in the territory of the botanical gardens, characterized by well preserved natural environment and great potential for future development. The rich program will help attract a large number of visitors from different age groups with a wide range of interests, turning the place into a new attractive location, a social center, a hub for communication and information, giving it a new life.

Project description

Understanding time and space has always fascinated the man. The time and the place in space have the power to rule and give power. So the sense of time and orientation kind of moves the world towards the future. Assuming the site as canvas on which a hole new universe is about to be created, laws and rules are needed to organize its structure. Four walkways start from the four corners of the site defined by the four cardinal directions: east, west, north, and south, then cross the site and meet at one point - the center. These paths divide the land into four zones orbiting the center. The Zones and the center then become volumes giving the building form.
The walkways flow into the central "square" sundial with dominant and unifying volume in the center and amphitheater seating rows around the perimeter. The four main entrances are along the sub directions and lead to small temporary exhibitions at the same level. Four thematic ramps - chronological exhibitions illustrating the time from the Big Bang to present days, smoothly and seamlessly bridge the gap between levels and lead to the lower level, where the following zones are located: public access, education, science, administration and technical facilities. This level homes the the main functions. The environment is accessible for visitors of different age groups and for disabled people and offers wide range of activities aiming to provoke their interest on space and therefore their thought and imagination. The program gives people knowledge about the universe through variety of exibitions dedicated to the night sky, ancient astronomy, astronomy and society, including a lot of models, workshops, classes, dioramas, and star shows. The roof of the building defines the central square and the dome, overflows into the terrain and forms two back yards. The four walkable green roofs are flower gardens, a reference to the botanical gardens, greeting guests with a place for walking, exercise, meditation, and relaxation. The roofs become a place for socialization, making new contacts, and recreation. The smooth transition merges the building with the surrounding landscape and brings to the fore the strong presence of the mountain. The building itself will turn the place into a new attractive location giving it a new life characterized by well preserved natural environment and great potential for future development.

Technical information

Site plan and floor plans showing the space organization are provided. Also Sections and facades contribute creating a clearer image in one's mind. Roof detail consists of perforated steel I-beam grid structure, with profiled roof decking, insulating layers, and walkable green roof system. It's carried by steelconcrete columns transfering the load to the ground. The columns are on the perimeter of the four volumes so that long spans are achieved. Combining the long spans with lateral and roof natural lighting creates the feeling of weightlessness. Acoustic panels cover the interior spase. Rain water harvesting system, solar energy harvesting system, energy generating floor system, and geothermal heating and cooling system are used. That way good thermal, acoustic and visual comforts are created which provide strong base for an amazing experience.