About the project
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Building type: Interior design and renovation
Surface: 1 900 m²
Client: French Foreign Ministry
Project and realization: 2011–2013, Stefan Dobrev and Tzvetelina Dobreva
The Alliance Francaise, located on Slaveykov Square in the heart of Sofia is thoroughly reconstructed and refurbished in order to accommodate all the services of the French Cultural Center in Bulgaria.
The building is a national cultural heritage site and was entirely renovated in 2013. It hosts all departments of the French institute in Bulgaria for cultural, scientific, student and institutional collaboration, as well as for cooperation for education and French language courses.
The first two levels are opened to the general public and include a reception with information areas, a multimedia library, bookstore, cafeteria and large multipurpose hall available for organizing events in the spirit of the year-long cultural policy of the Institute in Bulgaria. The three upper floors accommodate thirteen classrooms, while the last two levels are for the administration.
The interior design is guided by criteria of quality and sustainability. Its contemporary esthetics match with the existing building and corresponds to the image of France abroad.
