Balkan News Corporation TV New Site

Sofia, Bulgaria

Situated at the foot of the Vitosha Mountains on the edge of Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, the Balkan TV Headquarters stands as a symbol of the country’s entrance into the business of modern communications and technology

Encased in glass, steel, and stone, the building features green roofs and balconies that create connections to the outdoors and provide breathtaking views of the mountains and the city. A dramatic five-story glass lobby marks the entrance and creates the prow of the ship-like building, an innovative shape that was determined by the restraints of the tight building site. Extensive curtainwalls flow into more substantial stone walls, bringing light to all indoor office spaces and balancing the windowless spaces needed for technology, editing, and studio facilities. A subterranean parking garage was designed to take advantage of the slight slope of the land, providing out-of-sight parking for the 400-plus employees and maximizing the space allowed for the building on the tight site.

Despite its modern design, the Balkan TV Headquarters facility takes cues from traditional buildings in the old city. Earth tones, contrasting banding and stone block recall the architecture of the city; simultaneously, the building’s multi-story volume responds to nearby apartment blocks. Panels displaying placards for the station’s featured programs provide visual cues to the building’s purpose and animate the building’s façade.

The BTV design incorporates a number of sustainable/green and carbon neutral design features. Vegetated roofs were used over most of the roof in an effort to reduce the hard surface area, as well as reduce the “heat island” effect. “Grass Crete” paving was used as the major parking surfacing; this approach reduces the “heat island” effect, water run-off and hardscape. Access will be available to mass transit as well as bicycle racks and showers for those that choose to cycle to work. Several low-emitting vehicle parking spaces are included in the site parking design. Gray water, or water from sinks, showers and irrigation from the vegetated roof, were stored, filtered, and re-used throughout the facility as tech water (non-potable water to serve the urinals and water closets and cooling tower make-up). Onsite water was drilled as the primary source for all non-potable water. While serving as tech water and irrigation it also provided a backup to the fire suppression system in the event water is cut off at the building. High efficiency plumbing fixtures (faucets, urinals, and water closets) were used throughout the facility. Economizer cycles on the HVAC system allows for free cooling when temperatures are at the optimum levels. Double- and triple-glazed windows were installed to increase energy efficiency. Motion detector light switches were installed throughout in an effort to further reduce energy usage, and a flat plate water-cooling system that allows cooled fresh air to flow through the interiors was used.

As in all broadcast facilities, great consideration was given to acoustics, both in design and material application, to maximize sound quality and reduce noise infiltration.

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