year: 2015
location: Sofia, Bulgaria
area: 3 367 878m2
award: 2nd place
The main points of the project are: restoring the authentic look of the Borisova Gradina Reserve, the balanced development of areas for sport and recreation, transforming the buffer zone into a contemporary urban park, reconstructing and developing the Dendrarium Reserve, rehabilitating the forest park, creating good conditions for active and passive relaxation as well as providing new entrances from Srebarna street and Todor Kableshkov boulevard.
A spatial-planning concept for the park
Architectural analytical diagrams of the location and its boundaries, the functional zoning, the amenities, the types of transport, the cultural heritage, the problems and conflicts in the area.
The chronological development of the Borisova Gradina Park from 1892 to 1982
A concept for restructuring the spaces in the park by removing the dense shrubbery and saplings in 15-metre-wide margins along the main alleys. This will provide a view deeper into the forest and improve the security and comfort of the visitors.
A proposal for developing the areas along the edges of the park by pruning the thick low vegetation, removing withered or diseased specimen and conserving healthy monumental trees as well as those with good potential and aesthetic qualities. This thinning will enable the seeding of grass below the trees and the use of these newly-created green spaces for various recreational activities.
An example of redesigning the peripheral zones of the park
A way to conserve wetland forest plants while providing greater accessibility in those areas.
An illustration of creating contemporary park spaces
The idea for transforming the less hospitable parts of the Borisova Gradina into an urban park involves removing some of the low vegetation and constructing retaining walls – 50 cm high. This would better define the spaces and provide a place for respite.
A concept diagram showcasing the sustainable use of forest resources. The timber collected from sanitary pruning and thinning, necessary to maintain a beautiful and accessible forest park, will be used to create outdoor furniture and structures, sport facilities or wooden chips right on the spot.
A proposed system for collecting the revenue of the many amenities of the park and using it to directly fund its preservation and development.