Plovdiv Central Square
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Competiton entry for the largest open public space in the city of Plovdiv - Central Square.
Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria. It is situated 146 km southeast of the capital city of Sofia. It blends the relaxed atmosphere of a provincial town with the busy daily grind of a contemporary major center. Plovdiv is an old city of thousands of years of history. Its significant cultural-historical heritage encompasses the Antiquity, the Ottoman period and the Bulgarian Revival, the after-Liberation period of the Third Bulgarian State, the Socialist period. Ample and valuable material evidence has been preserved from each of these periods. The landmarks however are far from coexisting in an organic body, even more so given the current rhythm of city life. Aim of the architectural competition was to get best design ideas for new contemporary public space which should neither turn its back on history, nor lose its touch with the present.
Taking into consideration the fact that the goal of the competition was to make a good balance between historical heritage (archaeological sites) and existing contemporary context, conclusion was that the best way to achieve this was by proposing moderate intervention carefully implemented into existing surroundings. The intervention aims to promote qualities of existing public square size and location while trying to add new qualities by incorporating archaeological sites into public space and making them accessible by elements like skybridges, ramps, landscaping and lighting. Design proposal tries to reinforce the monuments historical significance.
Square paving consists of cast-in-situ 5 meters wide concrete patches of several lengths which are derived from 5x5 meters grid in two very bright almost white tones and with slight difference in surface roughness and crease orientation. Patch distribution was inspired with roman tile geometric patterns which was then randomized to better adapt to dispersed square surfaces. Other square elements like concrete benches, greenery patches and secondary paving elements (ground solar powered led blocks ) are distributed in 0.5m wide ’stripes’ also derived from 5x5m grid parallel to main square axis (main pedestrian street). Square topography in new proposal is mostly unaltered with exception of some ramps. Instead of ramps, all small height alterations are compensated with sloping pavement. Only new structures in the proposal, beside sky bridges and big ramp in archaeological site, are 2 platforms above parking area. Lower level is elevated deck connected with main square with stands, ramp, stairs and elevators, combining greenery and paving. Second platform serves as elevated site observation deck and sort of open museum/gallery covered in different patches of grass and low vegetation and greenery. Existing underpasses are left in most cases as they are but completely renovated implementing green walls and other elements of greenery.
Architects: Velibor Vojvodic, Jelena Puresic
Location: Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Area: 51 000 m2
Year: 2014
