About the project
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Building Type: Public building
Surface: 40 000 m²
Competition: First prize
Project: 1992–1995
Stefan Dobrev and E. Markov associated architects
The project for the new building of the Bulgarian National Bank envisages the creation of a wide pedestrian boulevard with two lateral streets, reminiscent of the Barcelonan Ramblas, instead of the existing Todor Aleksandrov artery, similar to a highway.
With its huge atrium space open to the elevated entrance plaza, the National Bank becomes a symbolic “Temple of Money”.
The remnants of Serdika’s town walls and western tower from the Roman period will be preserved under a large stepped glass roof.
There is a dialectic relation between the Catholic Church and the Bank, the latter being smaller, yet equally important. The church has an independent side entrance accentuated by the sharp-edged bell tower.
