Original use
Sports/sports pavilion-cultural
Current use
Sports/sports pavilion-cultural
Architects
Stefan Kolchev (head architect), Dimitar Stoyanov, Zhechko Cholakov and Virginia Popova
Engineers
Petko Milev, Hristo Kolev, Docho Dochev, Stefan Chervenkov and Nikola Nikiforov
Concrete by reinforcement
Concrete is a relatively brittle material that is strong in compression but less so in tension.
To increase its overall strength, steel rods, wires, mesh or cables may be embedded in concrete before it sets. This reinforcement, often known as rebar, resists tensile forces. By forming a strong bond, the two materials are able to resist a variety of applied forces, effectively acting as a single structural element .
Construction method
In this case, the concrete can be made by mixing the components directly on site, or it may be transported from a production plant in concrete-mixer trucks.
This method has the disadvantage of leaving the concrete exposed to the elements while it is setting. Whereas, with other methods, the environmental conditions can be controlled during setting, providing greater control over the outcome, with cast-in-place concrete a series of tests and protocols are necessary to verify its final strength.
Architectural concrete
- textured walls
- wooden formwork finish
- stamped concrete
- exposed aggregate concrete, colored concrete, etc.
Structural types
The construction of cantilevers creates structures that protrude from their supports without external reinforcements, contrasted with constructions supported at both ends, where the load is distributed between them, like in the case of a beam or a lintel. Formal strategies can be used to improve the structural performance of the cantilever and reduce thicknesses.
A suspended roof refers to the case where the vertical supports do not rest on the ground but hang from a structure above. Steel cables are often used for these supports, since they are only subject to traction forces.
State of Conservation
Description
This multi-use building, opened in 1968, is a symbol of the city of Varna. It houses a complex program behind its clean exterior volumes: three multi-use halls for occasional sporting events, cultural celebrations and conferences. These uses are complemented by gyms, meeting rooms and conference rooms, leisure areas and a shopping center.
Part of this programmatic complexity is housed beneath a large podium. Its roof serves as the public space, providing access to the larger areas. There are three broad entrance halls combined into a compact volume under a single curved roof, which emerges from the podium and defines the image of the building towards the city. The large inclined columns that line the outside are a clear expression of the roof’s cable-stayed structure.
The main program includes Kongresna Hall, with seating for 6,000 spectators and the largest of the interior spaces; Mladost Hall, which holds 1,800; and Hall 20, with capacity for 450 people. Following a complete renovation in 2015, the facilities are now prepared to host internationally relevant sporting competitions and cultural events.
Bulgaria
bul. "Knyaz Boris I" 115
Varna (Province and Region) 9002 Varna
Commission
1966
Completion
1968