1. Introduction

The project proposed for Pazardzhik is conceived not merely as a marketplace, but as a

meeting point where urban life is regenerated and historical continuity is reinterpreted

through a contemporary lens.

In the layered historical fabric of the city, dating back to the Ottoman period, marketplaces

were at the core of both economic and social life—not only weekly, but as an essential part

of daily practices. In traditional Ottoman towns, markets were not just places of commerce;

they were arenas of social encounters, civic interaction, and continuity of everyday culture.

Today, building upon this heritage, our proposal aims to address the dynamics of modern life

while making cultural memory visible. For us, the market is not just a space of exchange, but

a place to breathe, to meet, and to socialize—a true urban node. In a city like Pazardzhik,

where past and present intertwine, this meaning becomes even more profound.

2. Site and Context Analysis

Pazardzhik, located in southern Bulgaria, is a city with multiple cultural layers. During the

Ottoman era, it was a significant settlement and a vibrant center of trade and public life. Its

surroundings, with thermal springs, artisans, and local producers, made the city attractive

and positioned markets as more than economic hubs—they were also central spaces of

social interaction.

This enduring civic culture, still embedded in the memory of the city, forms one of the main

inspirations for the project. However, much of the built environment constructed during the

post-Soviet period reflects a monotonous, standardized architectural approach, unable to

capture or express this cultural richness.

Our design therefore both references historical traditions of public life and proposes new

scenarios for future civic interaction. The market is envisioned as a stage that re-establishes

historical memory while sustaining urban continuity.

3. Design Decisions

3.1. Dialogue with Topography

The market area is set one meter below ground level, distinguishing it from its immediate

surroundings while creating a unique micro-climate. This spatial gesture provides protection,

enclosure, and a theatrical quality that draws people inward. At the same time, the sunken

level ensures a more modest, controlled appearance at the urban scale.

3.2. Roof Structure and Multi-Layered Urban Life

A central design decision of the project is the extension of the Mineral Baths Park,

transforming it into a larger and more dynamic urban landscape. This enlarged green surface

is shaped with an 20% slope, turning the park into a vibrant urban green node and

generator that accommodates diverse cultural and recreational activities.

Continuing this gesture, a canopy is designed along the same slope, appearing as if it

naturally emerges from the extended park—an organic layer unfolding to create a sheltered

civic space beneath. This space is not static but adaptable: on weekends it functions as a

market, while on other days it becomes a flexible platform for concerts, open-air cinema, and

various public events. Supported by the modular “box” design, the area ensures

multifunctionality, reinforcing its dual identity as both an expanded green parkland and

a catalytic civic center for the city.

The extended roofscape transforms into an accessible terraced civic layer,

accommodating:

• Seating and viewing steps for events,

• Urban agriculture workshops,

• Educational and cultural units for children and youth,

• Exhibition and performance areas,

• Public gathering terraces.

By enabling the park’s expansion, this platform provides grounds for musical and theatrical

events and civic workshops, a critical contribution to an area still dominated by the monotony

of Soviet-era architecture. Thus, the roof structure becomes not only an environmental

device but also a cultural and social generator.

3.3. Social Interaction and Flows

Visual and physical continuity between the sunken market and the elevated terraces is

ensured through ramps, staircases, and porous thresholds. This creates a seamless

transition between levels, where interaction is encouraged: a child watching the market

from above, or an adult descending into the space for shopping, all participate in a lively

urban dialogue.

3.4. Breaking the Monotony

The project challenges the uniform, hierarchical absence of order imposed by Soviet

architecture, which has long suppressed spatial diversity. By layering spaces both vertically

and horizontally, the design introduces controlled chaos, fluidity, and moments of surprise.

The one-meter sunken market, combined with activities at +0.00 to +4.00 meters, produces

balance and multiplicity of use.

4. Conclusion

The Pazardzhik Multi-Layered Market and Public Platform is envisioned as a living urban

node—a space where trade, cultural memory, and civic life intersect. By reconnecting with

history while addressing present-day needs, it establishes a resilient and adaptable

framework for the future.

The project redefines the marketplace as more than a place of commerce: it is a civic stage

for encounters, dialogue, and the ongoing regeneration of urban life, enriched by the

expansion of the Mineral Baths Park and the introduction of spaces for cultural, recreational,

and educational activities. In doing so, it addresses the city’s historical depth while offering

an antidote to the monotony of its Soviet architectural legacy.