AN ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PEOPLE

In the past few years Bulgaria experiences a boom in construction of residential, administrative, sport, industrial, shopping and other buildings. The main trends taking shape in this process mirror the global trends in development of architecture, interior design, materials. After the overregulated and monotone architecture of Communist Bulgaria and the chaotic development of the 1990s and the 2000s, the Bulgarian architecture in the 2010s is interesting, up-to-date, innovative and responsible to the society and the environment.

What caused this change? On the one hand, the 2009 property market crisis healed the sector. When it ended, only the most adequate and prepared architecture studios have survived and consequently developed. The developers, for their part, realised that they could attract new buyers only with impeccably designed and materialised projects. On the other hand, Bulgarian architects, developers and end clients are now better informed on the novelties and the interesting solutions in existence around the world. They travel more, want to know more and aim to recreate the global trends on Bulgarian soil. An increasing number of developers and clients are looking for interesting and up-to-date solutions for their projects, offices, homes, stores and others. The local architecture studios are prepared to provide those and are able to engage in the development of a project the full range of specialists in the field of design and construction. As a result, contemporary Bulgarian architecture is no more lagging behind, but is an equal participant in the global processes.

The international trends in contemporary architecture for their part include the aim for sustainability and high energy efficiency, combination of diverse styles and influences, creativity, clear lines but not soullessness, and functionality.

M-Sintez Architecture Studio: To design a dream

Construction of a building is a complicated and hard process where true professionalism means achieving a combination of aesthetic appearance, good functionality and connection to the environment, and individuality. The professionals at M-Sintez Architecture Studio (Sofia, 13 Midzhur St, floor 1, apartment 1, phones: 02 963 17 32, www.msintez.wixsite.com/m-sintez) know how to achieve that. They offer the full range of services connected to construction of a building, and stay with the client at every stage of the process. With M-Sintez you won't need to worry for things like geodetic survey, installation design or interior design, landscaping or work with the administration – the studio will take care of these all. M-Sintez is not only aware that the harmonic blend of shape, aesthetics and functionality is achievable, but is also able to do it. The studio balances work on a wide range of projects in a diversity of fields and participation in architecture competitions that keeps the professionals in it in top condition.

Architecture and interior solutions must take in consideration the materials of which they will be realised. In the recent years the professionals in the field have experimented with new technological solutions that allow flexibility, functionality and reliability. They have a wide application and can be adapted to fit the desires of the designer and the client. A result of long years of development, the new construction materials perform excellently in extreme conditions and are very pleasing aesthetically.

MI Concrete: Concrete's new face

Until recently concrete was a material that had mainly constructive function and was best kept far from the eyes. MI Concrete (phone: +359 889 346 460, www.miconcrete.eu) changed this dramatically. MIcrete® , an ultra high performance concrete developed by the company, is the material you need to unleash your creativity while resting assured that your project will be durable and good value for money. MIcrete® is denser than common concrete, has low water absorption and higher resistance to sharp temperature changes, and has an impeccable surface. It is stronger and allows the production of thinner elements thus reducing weight and allowing manufacture of thinner surfaces. Even its colour can be adapted to the needs of the particular project and the creative vision of the architect and the client. For what can you use MIcrete®? Your imagination is your only limitation. The superconcrete by MI Concrete is an excellent solution for manufacture of facade panels, interior elements, decorative walls and even accessories. Partnership with MI Concrete is the best way to be sure that the MIcrete® elements that you want perfectly reflect your ideas. The company's architects know the material inside and out and will create the optimal project in regard of shape, execution and price.

One of the driving forces for development of architecture in Bulgaria is the arrival on the local market of established international manufacturers of building materials, furniture, home accessories. This provides the Bulgarian clients with the full range of advantages of the latest developments in the field that are energy efficient, aesthetic, spare the environment and provide maximum comfort of inhabitation.

Alu König Stahl: Latest generation of glazing

The new generation of glazing systems by Alu König Stahl (www.alukoenigstahl.bg) is actively developed towards improvement of both thermoinsulation capabilities and design, which reduces the area of visible profiles while increasing the glass area. Thus, the improved thermal comfort is combined with an access of more daylight in the rooms. The company also develops options for openable large-scale windows that have become increasingly popular in current architecture. The design of the new systems allows for a part of the casing to remain hidden, invisibly integrated into the profiles. This is particularly relevant for door hinges and self-closing machines. Thus the only element remaining visible are the doorknobs, which are offered by Alu König Stahl in elegant variants in a number of attractive colours. The profiles are used as an outline that underlines the glazing, instead of as a separate construction. Combined with well-selected sunscreening mechanisms, the windows become an important functional and architectural element in modern construction.

The responsibility towards nature and the design of an environment where the inhabitant feels comfortable are among the leading principles of contemporary architecture. The trend for use of sustainably sourced natural materials is becoming increasingly popular in interiors. Natural materials such as wood, stone, living greenery give the inhabitants a feel of tranquility and contact with nature, and on the top of that they look really well.

Forest Design And Architecture Studio: The power of nature

Contemporary architecture is looking for new ways to restore our broken connection with nature and Forest Design And Architecture Studio (phone: +359 878 53 98 46, www.forestdesignbg.com, FB: Arch.Aleksandra.Atanasova, Instagram: Forest.Design.Architecture) is an example for a good practice in this respect. Architect Aleksandra Atanasova designs projects and panels of natural materials: Scandinavian moss, vintage cork bark, white, oak and black birch bark. Installed on walls, ceilings, sliding doors and others, they bring in the home and the office the feel of contact with living nature and soothe, improve concentration and even productivity. Their maintenance is easy and doesn't ask for a lot of financial resources, their applications are many, and their print on the environment is minimal. The bark is from trees that are not cut down and Scandinavian moss is an excellent alternative to expensive green walls with complicated irrigation system and maintenance, as well as to walls with artificial plastic greenery.

The variety of solutions in contemporary Bulgarian architecture is united by the aim for sustainability, creativity, blending of styles, influences, materials. Thanks to this today we have the opportunity to live in a functional environment that fits the needs of the individua, the family, the company, the society, where nature and human live in harmony, stress is reduced and the impact on environment is minimised.