BNP-Paribas Bank – awarded “Building of the Year 2002”, Sofia

Investor: BNP-Paribas (Bulgaria) AD

Services provided: reconstruction, preliminary and detailed design

GBA: 3 700 m²

Period: 1999 – 2001

Description:

The design for BNP-DRESDNER BANK (later BNP-PARIBAS) was preceded by a town-planning elaboration that had to resolve the issues connected with the height of the new building and its relation to the adjoining buildings. The existing structure, in the place of which the new project was to berealized, is a monument of culture and is one of the group of buildings that shape the appearance of Sofia’s most beautiful central part.
The design plan envisages the demolition of the existing building and the preservation of part of the main façade to the main cornice level. The new space above the main cornice is made out of glass and categorically differs from the historical part—the two making a central line transition into each other.
The town-planning and architectural concepts provide for a step-like descent of the heights of buildings from the adjoining Hotel Bulgaria to the Ministry of Defense. The symmetrical fan-like composition is reflected in the planning of the building.
The symmetrical planning solution, with an axial line in the center of the sector, reminds of the spirit of the demolished old building and conforms entirely to the new functional requirements. An impressive spatial solution is achieved for the entrance zone by uniting the ground floor with the mezzanine in a way that corresponds to the articulation of the façade.
The building is emblematic for Sofia and is awarded the ‘best building of the year’ prize. The BNP-PARIBAS Foundation described it as one of the five buildings of this bank of world-scale exceptional architecture.