The water tower in Dimitrovgrad with a new future

The project "On the Steps of Time" by the author's team of architect Milena Raeva, architect Iva Miteva and architect Isabel Todorova was awarded first place by the jury in the open competition for students and young architects for a conceptual project for the renovation and reconstruction of the Water Tower In the presence of the mayor of the municipality Ivo Dimov, journalists and participants, the chairman of the jury arch.

Vladimir Milkov - Chairman of the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria, announced the awardees Six project proposals were submitted.

The projects were protected in the order of their entry into the municipality, and part of the presentations were online The first place winner "On the Steps of Time" sees the Water Tower as a monument with an important role for the history and identity of the city.

The authors' collective, inspired by a height and its view of the entire city, suggests opening the tower for this purpose The proposal is also in tune with its typological properties and the spatial limitations resulting from the volume storage solution.

At the same time, and in homage to the original function of the tower, the ground floor opens architecturally and functionally and becomes home to a fountain for the inhabitants of the city Our conceptual design proposal focuses on centrality.

All elements, interior and exterior, are oriented around the shape and volume of the tower The existing topography of the terrain was used to create two independent entrances for the respective functions, keeping the visual connection between all levels continuous.

External vertical communications dictate a new configuration inspired by the current one: playful steps merge with platforms located radially on the building on one side, and on the other, an amphitheater area with benches is created All this is inscribed in a ramp connecting the levels and following the contours of the retaining wall of the road.

Green terrain merges with these pedestrian areas plastically and through newly laid pavement to transform this important urban junction from a transit area into a place that is pleasant to stay for longer In second place, the jury ranked the project presented in the competition by a team of two young architects - architect Tsvetelina Gadzhelova and architect Plamena Draganova.

They transform the existing space, understanding it as a "place of memory", where all architectural elements act as reversible and variable overlays in time The location and height of the tower allow for a 360-degree panorama, in line with this, the young architects propose the construction of an observation platform made of glass, which reveals the view of the city in all its directions.

The observation deck is reached by a spiral staircase following the shape of the tower A light installation is located in the core of the tower, and the design of the lighting fixtures on it is decided to visually resemble water/rain and be a metaphorical reference to the original purpose of the space.

The jury awarded the third place to the design proposal of architect Mikhail Dyankov presented in the concept "Every drop matters" The goal of the current project is the integration of the Water Tower into the pedestrian public spaces of Dimitrovgrad and its transformation into a unique and recognizable symbol welcoming visitors to the city.

The idea for the intervention was inspired by the historical role of the tower - storing and using water for the needs of the railway infrastructure The project offers an effective modern interpretation of this original function, bringing into focus the theme of the reasonable and sustainable use of water resources.

This is done by transforming the building into an open public space where visitors can learn about the history of the Water Tower and the role of water in modern society on their way to the 360-degree panorama from the rooftop observation deck The theme of sustainable water use is also reflected in the architectural intervention through the newly constructed rainwater tank in the center of the tower, which creates an impactful and modern vision, yet captures the spirit of the authentic historical role of the building.

The mayor of the municipality thanked the citizens who voted on the contest website 669 people have joined in with an opinion about the vision of the tower.

Their preferred project is the one presented in the competition by a team of two young architects - architect Tsvetelina Gadzhelova and architect Plamena Draganova Their project was preferred by 25.

1% of citizens who voted The authoritative jury, which also includes Prof.

Dr Arch

Todor Bulev - Chairman of the Union of Architects in Bulgaria, Dr Arch.

Aneta Vasileva from the University of Architecture and Geodesy - Sofia, Department of "History and Theory of Architecture", Dr Arch.

Mila Nikiforova from the University of Architecture and Geodesy - Sofia, Department of Urban Planning, Arch Nina Tancheva - Chairman of the RK of KAB-Haskovo, Eng.

Snezha Yaneva-Zhekova - chairperson of the Haskovo District College of the Chamber of Engineers in Investment Planning and the chief architect of the Dimitrovgrad Municipality, arch Elisaveta Georgieva, assessed all the presented projects, according to the criteria for originality and applicability of the concept for the purpose of the building and the surrounding spaces; the aesthetic qualities of the volumetric spatial solution of the building, the interior and the surrounding spaces; the unity and consistency of the studies, concept and design solution and the economic expediency.

According to the regulations of the contest, in addition to certificates, the winners of the first three places also receive cash prizes, and the value of the prizes is BGN 3,000, BGN 2,000 and BGN 1,000, and the citizens' prize is equivalent to BGN 500.

The participants in the competition were: architect Stoyan Stoyanov,.