The Velvet Curtain Hall

Project idea

Concert Hall for 1,200 Visitors | Sofia, Bulgaria | 2026

Inspired by the theatrical curtain - the moment of anticipation before every performance - the project reinterprets this iconic element as architecture. A lightweight ventilated façade wraps the building like a flowing curtain, enclosing a solid reinforced concrete core that houses the auditorium.
The design is defined by the dialogue between these two systems: the expressive outer skin and the structural inner volume. Together, they create an architectural composition that embodies the relationship between performance and space, transforming the concert hall into a symbol of both movement and permanence.

Valentina Kertova
University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Sofia, Bulgaria

Project description

Concert Hall for 1,200 visitors located in Sofia, Bulgaria. The design is defined by the dialogue between two systems: the expressive outer skin and the structural inner volume. Together, they create an architectural composition that embodies the relationship between performance and space, transforming the concert hall into a symbol of both movement and permanence. The floor plans show the ground level (+0.00) and upper level (+14.92) layouts at 1:150 scale, with detailed sections A-A and B-B revealing the interior spatial organization of the auditorium and supporting spaces.

Technical information

The building features a lightweight ventilated façade system wrapping a solid reinforced concrete core structure. Plans are drawn at 1:150 scale showing two levels: ground floor at +0.00 and upper level at +14.92. Two cross-sections (A-A and B-B) at 1:150 scale illustrate the structural system and auditorium configuration. Construction details are provided showing façade connections and structural joints.

Documentation

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