Style and the City - interview with Radomir Serafimov

We continue our conversation with leading architects - our partners, whose projects create the new urban relief and many of them are part of the prestige of the portfolio of Unique Estates. Here are the answers of Radomir Serafimov, to important questions about the trends in the modern life of the city, about the new values and the new timeless.

Radomir Serafimov

Atelier Serafimov Architects

asa-bg.com
Photo Credit: Ivan Kolovos

How are the new projects in Sofia - residential buildings and complexes - rethinking the urban environment?

The new silhouette is layered in the city silhouette and what we would like is to see the surrounding existing buildings being renovated in order to achieve a modern and harmonious overall appearance of the city. All new projects have an impact on the urban environment and, if successful, have a positive impact on the city's residents. A successful example is the implementation of the Secret Gardens project on Galichitsa Street, which combines a central location, sustainable architecture and high quality workmanship - a combination of materials, details, common areas and landscaping. The complex has become a "jewel" in the central part of the capital, near the Hunting Park and Boris Garden.

Which current changes in the requirements for architecture, due to various factors, including the pandemic, most strongly influence the new concepts?

The pandemic undoubtedly turned its gaze back to the family cell. The need for personal space in the "home". Whether "home office" or "online school" - these concepts are already part of our daily lives and require more space. New requirements were introduced and this necessitated a rethinking of office space in the design of business buildings. Such an example is the new building of Nova Television, which is fully in line with the current epidemic situation, as well as the emergence of a similar situation in the future.

How do the projects combine the current requirements of different generations - the 50-60-year-olds, the millennials, the young Generation X?

Baby boomers are driven by the inertia of life, they seek stability, tranquility and security - closed residential complexes of houses, quiet locations close to nature and comfort to everything you need nearby. The recently designed by us Dragalevtsi House Complex of Eurostyle EOOD is a suitable choice for this generation.

The main users of new construction are usually millennials - young families with children. Among their requirements are opportunities for children, landscaping, comfortable and convenient homes and parking lots in communicative locations. Generation X or the so-called "digital ninjas" are impressed by high-tech performances in construction, which are environmentally friendly in their implementation. The big breakthrough in the search for a product that meets the requirements of all three generations is that they are at different stages of their lives and with different financial capabilities.

Does the new construction redefine the idea of luxury?

The idea of "luxury" is on the one hand subjective and on the other - multi-layered. The definition of "luxury" is the result of individual criteria and social status. The novelty in understanding it is that while 10-15 years ago everyone who had the opportunity to "luxuriously" transform their apartment, without caring about the entrance, common areas and surrounding area, now we are looking for buildings that offer complete , quality living. In other words, whereas before, "My home is my fortress," it can now be said that "My building is our fortress."

How do the projects themselves shape and change tastes, expectations and demands?

Taste is a subjective concept, the result of upbringing, environment, education, music, general culture, etc. The perception of the urban environment is also part of the spectrum of our own "taste". Aesthetics are nurtured and the evaluation of better architecture inevitably places higher demands and expectations on anyone who already has a basis for comparison. Our main goal is to create aesthetic and functional projects in accordance with the environment. In our portfolio, this has always been the aspiration, and I will again point out the realization of Secret Gardens, as well as the residential buildings Aviva, Sonata and Krista of BLD. If so, it will be clear what kind of architecture the next generations will look for and expect. I believe she will be better!

Can you imagine these new projects in 10, 20, 30 years? What will ensure their longevity over time and the freshness of the idea of luxury realized in them?

We strive to make the so-called sustainable architecture. We create all the projects so that even after years they will remain convincingly in place again. We use natural materials - stone, wood, metal and glass, which determine the quality and are eternal, regardless of time and changes.