Bulgarian National Museum

THE BULGARIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM COMPLEX
 Sofia, Bulgaria

 An expansion, consolidation and complete reorganization of several major national collections in the historic center of Sofia, just a block from the national cathedral. The project combines new building with the rehabilitation of several existing structures around a new open-air sculpture court, a significant addition to the public space of the city. A total of 22,000 square meters of construction, the project includes top-lit galleries, an auditorium and education spaces as well as a full complement of storage and conservation facilities.  The commission was awarded through an international competition and construction was completed in 2014.

Working directly with the architectural and curatorial teams, Museoplan was responsible for the design and development of all of the galleries, the art storage and conservation facilities and for assuring the basic circulation of visitors and art through the building.

 Museoplan with Y. Apostolov
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Photo credits: Museoplan, Y. Apostolov, A. Emilov

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.