The main goal of the Blagoevgrad famers market redesign is transformation of the areainto a modern, attractive and multifunctional public space, which expands and develops the pedestrian zone of the city and becomes a new urban highlight and magnet.

URBAN PLANNING POTENTIAL

Public spaces in Blagoevgrad stopped their development after the era of socialism. There is not a single significant example of a new public space realized and sustainably recognized as such in the last 30 years. The purpose of living public spaces is to be the "living room of the city" - the place where people meet, communicate, share holidays and excitement. Wealthy cities have rich "living spaces", which in turn make them attractive centers for outside visitors, and the richness and variety of experiences are the basis of urban culture and, in practice, a characteristic feature of modern civilization.

The Farmers Market is such a new public space as it is located between American University (a traditional pedestrian anchor), along the river – the city's linear park and connecting the existing pedestrian area.

INNOVATIVE FURNISHING SOLUTION

Furnishing the market is a big challenge to create a multifunctional space. Tables should be easy and quick to install, but also easy and quick to dismantle and free up space. The adopted design solution uses the prototype of the large shopping carts in supermarkets, which are stored in the so-called garages. A special table has been created that can very easily be moved to the commercial place on wheels, but can also be folded and stowed in a compact position very quickly and easily. This versatile table can be combined with an umbrella-canopy, which provides immediate protection from the sun and wind for the seller.

CANOPY DESIGN

The canopy seeks a universal presence in the urban space and a universal use for all needs: not only as a cover for the farmer's market, but also as a universal cover for holding all kinds of public, cultural and sports events.

Finding the right proportion is a challenge: a lower cover will make the space below it dark and stuffy. A more glassy finish will require more maintenance. A more closed coverage will repeat the mistake of the closed market and turn it into another building.

A simple solution was chosen - a horizontal plate, placed on only 6 legs, with a maximum support distance between them. This strict and minimalist solution hides many high-tech challenges, namely:

The foundation is complicated because the construction site is saturated with sewage, water and electrical networks, including those without a clear origin. The foundations are heavy to provide support for the columns and to absorb the earthquake loads.

The columns and beams are from ready-made profiles, which were delivered from China after a large-scale search throughout the European market.

An innovative vacuum drainage system has been designed that relies on minimal sag in the middle of the structural fields. Rainwater is led away through the columns.

92 specially designed skylights with built-in lighting create the main accent of the coating, which during the day reflects sunprints under the shade of the coating, and at night - ambient and comfortable lighting that is discreet and does not dazzle.

The installation of the unique wooden ceiling has been in the works for more than a year. The surfaces are made of natural wood. A special supporting substructure has been created, and assembly is carried out by furniture makers.

VERTICAL PLANNING

The platform on which the coating is installed has a long process of design, optimization and detailing within a very economical budget. The natural slope following the slope of the river is a problem, as a horizontal surface is sought under the cover, including for the use of wheel tables. For this purpose, the terrain is modeled in a way that is invisible to the eye, which ensures natural drainage of rainwater and attachment to the adjacent territories. A light motif in the pavements is the combination of elements of rhyolite (traditional for Blagoevgrad red granite) and asphalt. The lighting fixtures with engraved coats of arms of the Municipality, as well as the legs of the benches, are cut from rhyolite. A total of 8 new deciduous trees surround the cover to the south and west, replacing 3 old poplars that were removed during construction.

BLAGOEVGRAD/BULGARIA

COMPLETED

800 sq.m.

BLAGOEVGRAD MUNICIPALITY