Sofia Planetarium

Project idea

The aim of Sofia Planetarium is to attract children and young students to the wonders of science and space exploration. To achieve its goal, the project had to offer an interesting and inspiring environment that makes education fun. The result is a building, which is educational itself, like a big interactive model of how gravity works. It is open, light and looks at the sky above while at the same time functional and energy efficient.

Project description

The Planetarium is located on the southern outskirts of Sofia in the BAS
Botanical Garden park. The building is easily accessible to traffic due to the
proximity of the southern arc of Sofia Ring Road. Parking spaces will be
implemented near the road to avoid the entry of vehicles in the park.
The specifics of the terrain and the landscape of the site require the
building to interact harmoniously with the terrain. Therefore, the southern
part of the building is completely below the ground and the roof follows
the topography.

Technical information

The specifics of the planetarium halls lead to their spherical shapes while
the space between them remains open. The colors of the interior and
roof construction are entirely monochromatic, while the spherical volumes
are marked with different bright colors as an accent of the composition.
The shape of the roof is inspired by the physical models for the effects
of gravity on spacetime. The plane of the metal structure is modeled with
'gravity' fields around each of the spheres, resulting in smooth and organic
curves that look like a natural extension of the terrain. The roof is
almost entirely glazed. To avoid overheating and greenhouse effect and
also to achieve energy independence, PV cells are integrated
in the roof windows. Under the open-plan floor for visitors. there are
offices and scientific laboratories. Visitors are expected to have a limited
access to some of them as well.

Co-authors

Project developed with the help of Senior Assist. Prof. Arch. Vasil Kashukeev from the University of Architecture Civil Engineering and Geodesy in Sofia