Viennese Architect Johannes Baar-Baarenfels Takes the Spotlight in Moscow

The Project

During drilling work to expand Sofia's metro, a vast site of ruins from the ancient Thracian and Roman city of Serdica resurfaced. A grid structure dating back to the Byzantine era, more than seven meters under ground level, was found stretching across Nezavisimost Square which is surrounded by Stalinist architecture. Johannes Baar-Baarenfels encased the ruins with three parametric-designed glass domes. They reveal the city's ancient past in contrast with their 20th-century surroundings. The domes are separated by two bridges allowing visitors to walk above the site and take a look down at the architectural treasure below.

The three domes are membrane structures made of steel and glass. The exciting form is created by single as well as double curved glass panels. They span an area of around 16 x 16 meters. Designing a low rise of 2.10 meters was a static challenge in order not to divide the square.

With his striking structure Baar-Baarenfels creates a new awareness of public space and the city's cultural heritage. "The relevance of the construction goes beyond its mere architectural significance", says Baar-Baarenfels: "After all it is located right in front of the Bulgarian Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the President's Office. It can be seen as a sign of a new beginning for the city, as its hidden ancient past is brought back to life through architecture that points to the future".

Johannes Baar-Baarenfels worked in Sofia in cooperation with local architect Hristo Guentchev. The project was implemented by local companies. Planning, building permission and construction took twelve months to complete.

About architect Johannes Baar-Baarenfels

Johannes Baar-Baarenfels is an Austrian architect based in Vienna. He was awarded for his renovation of Palais Rasumofsky in Vienna in the category "New and Old" at the World Architecture Festival in Singapore in 2013. In 2010 Baar-Baarenfels was nominated at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona for the Sportalm-Flagship-Store in the Vienna City centre under the category "Shopping". Johannes Baar-Baarenfels was also a lecturer at universities in Austria and India as well as several other European and Asian countries.

Press-pictures for download (© Baar-Baarenfels/Guentchev): https://tinyurl.com/sfwq8kd 

Further information:
www.baar-baarenfels.com 

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