© Tsvetomir Dzhermanov

© Tsvetomir Dzhermanov

© Tsvetomir Dzhermanov

© Tsvetomir Dzhermanov

© Tsvetomir Dzhermanov

The site for the project is located on eleven acres of orchard land nestled between the Iskar River and Vitosha Mountain, 12 kilometers from the city center of Sofia. The owners purchased the plot with an existing pre- 1945 era building, which was used as a military quarters by the German and Russian Armies due to its strategic location. The program requirements are to extend the existing building with a new built structure providing space for guest rooms, kitchen with restaurant saloon, lounge, recreation zone, gym and small spa unit. The program envisages the uniqueness of the location, the relation to the nature and the planned future sport facilities. The old house with its simple look and facades, tiled alpine roof and deep eaves expresses the familiar image of a mountain home. The monolithic building with its strong presence in the property, surrounded by age-old trees demands a sensitive design approach. The new created volume is connected through new openings in the existing façade merging the interior spaces between old and new. A two story atrium with glazed roof provides day light to the central part of the ground floor and a panoramic elevator is going to the top terrace. The façades of the old and new buildings have the same plaster structure and white color therefore the disposition between old and new is displayed by the volume composition. On its north side the new building has two levels. The second one accommodates the guest rooms and partly cantilevered it extends towards the green surrounding. On the south side is located the “salon” - a large bright room, wide open with sliding façade glazing which provides views towards the adjacent garden. This multifunctional area is foreseen for different scenarios such as restaurant, event place, conference room etc. On the second floor over the atrium is located a small gym with spa facilities and a large terrace on two levels. On top of the building is located a small “belvedere” open air bar and swimming pool with amazing view to Vitosha mountain. In the basement are situated the wine cellar and the kitchen.

-The restoration of the existing old building includes a structural strengthening according to the local seismic standards. The new wide façade openings are strengthened with steel beams and reinforced concrete frames. The new building extension does not structurally affect the existing one and a continuous joint assures the independent movement of the two structures. The space program requires space integrity between the old and new buildings and in the same time more privacy is required in the old house while the public activities are concentrated in the new building.

-The new building has mixed structure – reinforced concrete and steel with generous glazing in contrast with the comparatively small windows of the old building. The atrium is cut in a concrete slab, supported by steel columns. The main façade material is white plaster; the old building has new wooden windows with the same look as the original ones, while the new building has aluminum framed glazing. The terraces of the new building are covered with teak decking. The interior of the old building is leaning on historical materials – wooden floorings, brick walls, terrazzo stairs and corridors, the attic is refurbished and the old roof’s wooden structure is fully restored. In the new extension natural materials like wood, exposed concrete and steel suggest continuity and provide environment for different scenarios.