Campus 90 is a hybrid development in Varna, Bulgaria, uniting student housing, a hotel, and a conference center within one building. Located near a newly constructed roundabout connecting Tsar Osvoboditel and Vasil Levski boulevards, it is within walking distance of two major state universities. The building has a simple rectangular silhouette with a bright, pixelated facade inspired by movement and speed. This visually dynamic surface forms a spiral-like pattern around the straight volume of the structure.
A multi-functional educational hub
Designed to serve both students and faculty, Campus 90 contains 120 fully equipped student accommodations and 70 hotel rooms. It also offers six conference halls, a full-service restaurant, and a large fitness center. Communal lounges and a panoramic rooftop terrace aim to support interaction and relaxation. A key gathering point is the lobby bar and living room on the ground floor, which opens to a garden in warmer months and hosts events such as film screenings and concerts. Student accommodations can be adapted from double to single rooms, and certain clusters share a kitchen and living space. The hotel area occupies the upper five floors, with expansive views of the sea and city, and incorporates artwork by local graffiti artists.
Contextual design strategy
Campus 90 was initially conceived as a high-rise office tower in 2008, but construction halted due to the global financial crisis. Over a decade later, the client revised the scope to meet Varna’s increasing need for student housing. This change required significant structural reinforcement to repurpose the partially completed building. The result is a flexible program intended to operate year-round while contributing to Varna’s educational infrastructure by providing a safe setting for students to learn, collaborate, and grow.
Materials and energy efficiency
The building consists of two underground and sixteen above-ground levels, relying on reinforced concrete as the primary structural material. Facade components are entirely non-combustible, meet high energy-efficiency standards, and have low carbon footprints. Systems such as HVAC, electrical, and domestic hot water are divided by levels for efficient operation when occupancy is uneven across the floors.
Reducing overall energy demand was prioritized before implementing high-performance systems. The building envelope uses aerated concrete YTONG blocks, 15 centimeters of mineral wool insulation, and a ventilated CEMBRIT (now SWISSPEARL) facade system. High-performance aluminum windows from SCHÜCO help minimize thermal loss and maintain stable indoor conditions. Heating and cooling rely on DAIKIN heat pumps organized in zones, allowing partial operation as needed. Domestic hot water is supplied by gas-powered HOVAL systems, ensuring efficient on-demand service.
Passive design strategies
West-facing windows include mechanical shading to limit direct solar gain, while window dimensions are matched to room sizes to balance daylighting and prevent overheating. These measures reduce reliance on air conditioning. From its opening, Campus 90 reached full occupancy in its student residences, reflecting the building’s relevance and function as a communal, academic hub that promotes interaction and teamwork.
