A3 Advanced Architecture Apartments

Concept A3 - Advanced Architecture Apartments is an exciting building, harmoniously incorporated into the context of the environment. Two starting points - the mountain and the city, set overall architectural concept. The plot reserved for A3 is in the border area, where the city and the mountain overflow into one. Lines and clear borders are blurred in smooth and soft forms, allowing everyone to determine exactly where and how to perceive shape and space. Situated in one of the most contemporary areas of Sofia - Bulgaria Blvd., A3 is designed to be relevant, contextual and avant-garde.

One of the most modern and interesting buildings in Sofia are exactly here. On the other hand, very dominant element of the environment is the mountain, peeking in the future building. Combining these two powerful elements we’ve created an exciting, dynamic and modern shape of the building, with no harm on the function. We divided the building into five volumes, linked in a common ensemble defining its final shape.

We outlined each of the volumes with soft and elegant forms and let everyone to associate them with his own imagination. It is easy to associate the elements with five mountain peaks or a silhouette of a family with three children, but the deeper concept is to stimulate you to define yourself as becoming involved with the building. To become the author of a new form, to be inspired.

Function The creation of A3 flew from the inside to the outside, the design followed after the function, which is the approach we consider correct for residential building design. We’ve planned an uncompromising function which comply fully with the investor program. There are straight orthogonal forms in the layout, which brings comfort and flexibility in the interior space organization. We divided the 100 meter long building in 5 blocks (entrances) each with its own vertical communication. The first two- A and B have two apartments on the floor, V, G and D entrance- three apartments on the floor.

The small number of apartments per floor increases the feeling of luxury living and provide more privacy. We designed 158 apartments, each with excellent function and favorable geographical position. Every living room is situated east- southeast, richly glazed, facing Vitosha Mountain and the cityscape. The ground floor is designed for commercial use - shops with sizes from 50 to 100 square meters. Car parking is assured by two underground levels and the entire free aboveground area is planned for landscaping and recreation.

Design The design of A3 contains strict elegance and soft organic forms. The building is perceived equally well in the overall silhouette and from different angles. The feeling of elegance and sophistication is emphasized by the facade materials-glass and Fiber C.

The glass is in two colors- transparent and graffiti Lacobel. Fiber C is an innovative, hi-technology material, made of glass-fiber concrete, which gives unlimited options in forming. Besides aesthetics and functionality the materials provide durability and easy maintenance of the building.

Form Follows Function

 A3 is the result of a team collaboration, including players ranging from client to architect, engineer to manufacturer. From the outset, the client had a clear vision with respect to the building’s program, including the creation of clean, orthogonal spaces and spacious rooms. "The creation of A3 flows from the inside to the outside, the design strictly follows the function, which is the approach the studio considers correct for residential building design. The uncompromising function complies fully with the investor program", the architects explain.

A3 – Volumes that inspire

The combination of two powerful context components, being the surrounding architecture and mountain views, results in the dynamic and modern shape of the development, without harming its function. A3 is organised into five distinct volumes, positioned together as an ensemble to determine the overall final shape. Each of the volumes is outlined with soft and elegant forms, allowing imaginations to run free. STARH Architects explain the correlation of the five building volumes to five mountain peaks, or the silhouette of a family with three children. They note the deeper concept however is to stimulate viewers to define their own experience of the building. In other words, for each individual to be inspired by the architecture and become the author of a new form themselves.

In total, the building is 100 meters in length and rises 17 storeys. The length is divided into five distinct blocks, each with its own entrance and independent vertical circulation. The first two blocks (A & B) include two apartments on each floor, while the other three blocks (V, G and D) service three apartments on each floor. The small number of apartments per floor was a strategy adopted with the aim of enhancing a feeling of luxury living as well as providing privacy to the tenants. In total, there are 158 apartments in A3.

The Challenges

By achieving the maximum built up area, the result was a 110-meter long facade for each building, which could appear imposing. In order to mitigate this, all edges were softened and curved in order to reduce an aggressive visual impact. Further to this, the curving oval forms help to function as noise screens, a valuable strategy as the development is located adjacent to a busy boulevard.

Aesthetics, Functionality and Longevity

According to Svetoslav Stanislavov of STARH Architects, aesthetics, functionality and longevity are the three components which define the architecture of A3. ‘’Despite ensuring a lasting grace, the glass, concrete and steel used in the façade provide a long life and easy maintenance,’’ he says.

Successful Collaboration Between Architect and Manufacturer

Selection of manufacturers was key for the success of the project, particularly with the curtain wall system and glazing who play such an important role in the architectural scheme. ‘’The building is designed to be of great quality in each aspect, including the materials used,’’ says Stanislavov. ‘’Having this in mind, choosing Reynaers Aluminum with their systems CW 50 and CS 77, amongst concrete and fiber-concrete panels and glass was logical. We were given the chance to visit some of the projects completed with the above-mentioned systems and introduced us to their manufacturers. The façade elements were assembled in the companies' factories and delivered in flawless condition.’’

Stanislavov adds, ‘’A close cooperation with the manufacturer’s representative during the design phase is a guarantee for the further high-quality realisation, which is our main goal. To create aesthetic, functional and long-lasting buildings. Beyond the substantial, the physical, the most remarkable in the building is that it impresses and stimulates the imagination.’’