Nominator: Antonina Georgieva Ilieva

Nominator's statement

I met Teodosi Stavrev first in my capacity as supervisor of his Public Buildings 3rd year Course Project in 2019 and later, when he chose to graduate from the Public Buildings department of the Architecture faculty, I became his pre-diploma and diploma advisor over the period from 2021 to 2023.

Teodosi possesses an extraordinary blend of intellectual ability and curiosity for life, as well as an innate understanding of the holistic nature of architecture. His drive to fine-tune all aspects of his architecture at any point in time and his understanding of beauty in all three manifestations of "building, dwelling and thinking", I believe lead the way to the formation of an own architectural voice that is both thoughtful and ecstatic.

Both his student work and his current work as a young practicing architect convey the desire to understand the subject matter of architecture both philisophically and theorethically, and at the same time - materially and executively.

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STOCHNA GARA (CENTRAL GOODS STATION) WATER SPORTS AND ROWING CANAL
Master’s Thesis
The project explores the intersection of two key themes — adaptive infrastructure and urban barriers. It proposes a strategy for addressing one of Sofia’s major urban challenges: the disproportionate development of the city caused by its main railway line, along with the inaccessibility and disconnection of its rivers from the urban fabric.

The analysis reveals that the only consistent and resilient crossing of this man-made barrier is achieved by natural systems — the rivers. Historically, however, Sofia has treated its rivers as a threat rather than as an urban asset. Over time, they have been engineered, channelized, and reduced to purely infrastructural elements, stripped of ecological, spatial, and recreational value, and largely isolated from everyday urban life.

This project argues that precisely this infrastructural condition holds latent potential for reactivation. By introducing public and sports-related functions, river spaces can be reintegrated into the city and regain their role as active urban elements.

Focusing on a specific intersection between river and railway infrastructure, located near Sofia’s former goods railway station, the proposal transforms an existing concrete riverbed into a water sports canal and recreational zone. The space beneath the railway bridge is reimagined as a public swimming complex with a 25-meter pool and bathing facilities, while a future urban rail stop is positioned above.

In doing so, the project redefines infrastructural voids as active public landscapes, where mobility, water, and everyday urban life are reconnected.

SOUVENIR SHOP FOR THE IRON MUSEUM PLOVDIV, BULGARIA
In collaboration with architectural studio Other
The main challenge of this project was finding a balance between a reception area for ticket sales and a souvenir shop within an extremely limited space in a 19th-century building located in the heart of Plovdiv’s Old Town.A key element of the design is the presentation table in the form of a charcoal iron, which was handcrafted by our team.

WALL-MOUNTED LIGHTING FIXTURE
In collaboration with architectural studio Other

During the design and realization process, certain solutions often emerge intuitively. One such outcome was the development of this lighting fixture. Inspired by a leftover perforated mesh casually leaning against a wall, it transforms into a distinctive accent that gives identity to the specific space.