PORTFOLIO 2025
+359897943316 gergana.negovanska@gmail.com
The Tallinn Quarry Theme Park Masters graduation project 2024
Factory of Dust MSc1 design project 2022
The Last Straw : Ratho Community Centre Bachelors graduation project 2021
Professional practice projects
Assistant designer practice 2021-2025
What is the value of deceit in architecture?
Location
Tallinn, EST
Type
Academic | Individual Date
September - June 2024
Supervisors
Dr Jorge Mejia, F.J. Speksnijder, Dr Eric Crevels
Software
AutoCAD, Rhino, Illustrator, Photoshop, BambuLab
Reflecting on the touristification and disneyfication of Tallinn’s Medieval city centre, ‘The Quarry Theme Park’ is a theoretical and design exploration of deceit in architecture, questioning normative understandings of value, beauty and honesty. The project proposes the transformation of the soon-to-be-depleted Väo quarry in the avoided and rather unattractive residential area of Lasnamae into a theme park. Taking Estonia’s national material as its theme, the park aims to bring awareness of the properties, uses, value, beauty and temporality of limestone through the architecture. It argues for the value of deceit in architecture by bringing out the qualities of theme parks to immerse, surprise, make us wonder, instill imagination and make us suspend our habits and beliefs.
Tallinn’s centre resembles a medieval theme park, with carefully maintained colorful facades and a concentration of leisure-oriented architecture. To provide quality leisure spaces for the citizens in the outskirts, the proposal envisions the redevelopment of the Vao Quarry into a theme park. For the creation of immersion, such architectures rely on a set of techniques for deceit, which were analysed though personal experience and precedent studies. I came to understand theme parks and their components as a series of threshold spaces that the visitors go through. This preparatory spaces create a sense of anticipation and a moment of revelation and wonder.
symbolic space / iconic architecture
aggregation of themed attractions
structural deceit
surface deceit
circulation deceit
The theme park, situated in the central area of the quarry, is conceived as a sequence of thresholds in a typical loop plan, whose purpose is to immerse people into the world of the quarry.
(1) To dislocate people from the city, a new road is created to the south of the quarry, taking the flow from the main Peterburg tee through the existing forest, where the parking for 3000 cars is located.
(2) The landscape is used to divide the areas via water bodies and greenery into zones with varying intensity or experience.
(3) It has three main parts (thresholds): the parking, the main entrance, and a typical attraction entrance.
New Road
Defining project area
Through multiple iterations and rigorous analysis of the form and its perception from incoming visitors, I arrived at the optimal solution. The facades use opposition to highlight the quarry’s depth. The low front facade features raw stone panels juxtaposed with intricately carved ornaments, emphasising the park’s theme. The sloped roof at the front exaggerates the towers’ heights and deceiving visitors upon their walk to the ticket office
Form-finding for deception
The vertically of the stairs is empasised by the extra height, contrasting the low building at the entrance and giving a false sense of the scale and depth of the quarry. The tower is conceived as an attraction in itself - having a non-standard, mazelike staircase that has dead ends, loop turns and multiple levels with views.
1:100 Physical model 3D printed, copper silk
700
100
8-10
The steel roof truss structure, accommodates the mechanical systems required by the attractions, including light, ventialtion and sound. A number of sustainable measures ensure the attraction contributes to a positive visitor experience and improvement of the landscape. The proposal argues for the environmental, social and cultural sustainability and value of solid stone construction due to its high thermal storage capacity and local availability.
How to apply circular principles to an ‘unworthy’ building?
Location
Zaandam, NL
Type
Academic | Group work with L. Fung Role
site analysis, material research, concept, technical, design, renders
Date
September - January 2023
Supervisors
Dr Al. Stanicic , P. Jennen, H.Dale
Software
AutoCAD, Rhino, Illustrator, Photoshop, Vray, PromeAi
The Factory of Dust is an experimental preservation project that questions the notions of value in architecture through the narrative of dust. We developed our own instruments to uncover the story of dust at the former military site of Hembrug terrain. We explored how to deal with toxic materials in architecture, such as asbestos, but also heritage buildings when they are toxic, how to evaluate and re-intergrate such buildings. Dust becomes from a condition of danger to one of creativity; and from a product of decay to a secondary material for the production of art. The project integrates a novel approach to dealing with asbestos with a community-oriented function by combining a decontamination facility with pottery workshops, where the detoxified asbestos can be reused by the community.
In 1895, Hembrug became a military production site for the Dutch army, with buildings designed around the production process. Today, artists are re-inhabiting and redefining its meaning. Using a tracing paper scroll and clay, we explored heritage through its “unwanted” time stains. Uncovering the invisible toxicity but also atmospheric qualities of the dust in Hembrugh, we explored what dust is and what role it plays in architecture.
The envisioned factory of dust symbolizes a change in how we value dust as a material. The building would commemorate and create new things with it, introducing a circular approach to toxic heritage. The building is divided into productive and public areas, where toxic dust (asbestos) is first collected and then it is used to create clay for the community.
proposed alternative common approaches
How to apply circular principles to an ‘unworthy’ building?
Location
Edinburgh, the UK
Type
Academic | Individual and group work
Date
January - April 2021
Supervisors
Dr Simone Ferracina, Dr Moa Carlsson
Software
AutoCAD, Rhino, Illustrator, Photoshop
Designed for a circular economy in the built environment, the project explores the potential of reusing a soon-to-be-demolished shed on the outskirts of Edinburgh: the Ratho library. Influenced by Steward Brand’s concept of ‘shearing layers,’ the project reuses a building that would be typically considered of no value, questioning how architects might transform notions of preservation, permanence and appropriateness in response to the climate emergency, and by considering a building’s specific social, environmental and historical context. By carefully surveying, cataloging and evaluating the existing modular building, the proposal responds to and enhances its social, ecological and historical relationships to its site. Finding value in the ‘temporary‘ library shed’s components, the project challenges the linear model of resource use and promotes the rehabilitation, reuse and extension of this muchloved community building.
RIBA Sustainable Design Award Part I
EAA JR McKay Student Medal
ESALA Tectonics Prize
RIAS Sustainable Design Award
Existing shed
Isometric view of proposed scheme
The choice of new materials for the retrofit and extension was governed by a careful analysis of the corresponding production processes, performance, durability, embodied carbon, local availability, and dry construction assembly to allow for recurring waves of disassembly, reassembly, and reuse.
Existing reused
Relocated from original position
Removed from existing building
New Straw bales
Component inventory and reuse opportunities of components
Reuse Strategy : Step by step process
Using local, renewable and biodegradable materials the existing structure is adapted and many of its inefficiencies addressed.
The choice of new materials for the retrofit and extension was governed by a careful analysis of the corresponding production processes, performance, durability, embodied carbon, local availability, and dry construction assembly to allow for recurring waves of disassembly, reassembly, and reuse.
Roof
18 mm larch cladding
10 mm larch cladding
30 mm timber battens
10 mm hydroisolation
breather membrane
22 mm OSB board
100 mm sheep wool insulation between pine rafters 600 mm centres
100 mm existing fibre insulation between timber rafters
VCL membrane plywood board
Top plate
150x50 mm battens placed vertically with 18 mm nailed plywood and
Straw Bale - Bookshelf Wall
320 mm bookshelf
22 mm board
60 mm service cavity with 60x50 mm spacer battens
VCL membrane
11 mm OSB
400 mm straw bale insulation between I-posts
100 mm existing fibre insulation between posts breather membrane
34 mm timber battens
34 mm counter battens
2x18 mm vertical larch cladding
Outdoor library / Habitat wall
320 mm outdoor bookshelf supported on 100x50 timber battens.
Plywood box with sides 24 mm thick
Floor
21 mm plywood board
membrane
100 mm sheep wool insulation between timber studs 600 mm centres
100 mm existing fibreglass insulation between structural timber members
membrane
22 mm OSB board
100x100 mm existing timber joists
500x500x2000 mm existing brick-concrete foundations
The building's facades are designed with consideration for the nonhuman inhabitants – swifts, linnets, bats, hedgehogs and their habitat requirements.
The habitat wall provides shelter, nesting spaces and food resources, while also prompting the community take care of the local wildlife.
From the start, the building is designed for disassembly. Its modular design and the materials chosen for it promote its continuous circulation in technical and biological nutrient cycles.
DISASSEMBLE DISMANTLE
After some period of time, the building is disassembled into its comprising modules.
The modules are transported to a new site.
At the end of their lifetime the modules are dismantled and their materials are used for compost or bio-fuel, closing the energy cycle.
The library leaves the site and it goes back to what it was - part of the Woodland.
REUSE CYCLE: MODULES AND PARTS
ASSEMBLE
Modules are assembled in the new city.
If needed, the building is extended using local materials.
The building is used by the local communities.
Reciprocal landscapes of the used materials.
END OF LIFE CYCLE: RETURNING BIOLOGICAL NUTRIENTS
frame is dismantled, starting from the roof.
Building Circular: Continuous lifecycle and End-of-life
existing reused relocated from original position removed from existing building new straw bales
Location
Sofia, BG
Type
Internship
Role
survey and technical drawings, tender documents, schedules, renders
Date
July 2022
Supervisors
arch. Angel Savlakov
Software
AutoCAD, Rhino, Vray
The project consisted of a proposal for an intervention on an existing terrace. Three structural solutions were explored the canopywooden frame, steel frame with polycarbonate and steel frame with thermopanels. I produced accurate and detailed survey and technical design drawings, tended documentation and cost calculations under my mentor’s supervision. For each option I made renders to assess the light penetration, atmosphere and aesthetics, which were praised by both client and my superiors. Here I will present the final design chosen by the client.
Plans : roof and structure, 1:100
Cross sections 1:100 through solid thermopanels and transparent polycarbonate Drawings made by G.Negovanska, courtesy of conveyer
Location
Sofia, BG
Type
Internship
Role survey and technical drawings, tender documents, schedules, renders
Date
July 2022
Supervisors
arch. Angel Savlakov
Software
AutoCAD, Rhino, Vray
The project consisted of a proposal for an intervention on an existing terrace. Three structural solutions were explored the canopywooden frame, steel frame with polycarbonate and steel frame with thermopanels. I produced accurate and detailed survey and technical design drawings, tended documentation and cost calculations under my mentor’s supervision. For each option I made renders to assess the light penetration, atmosphere and aesthetics, which were praised by both client and my superiors. Here I will present the final design chosen by the client.
Location
Sofia, BG
Type
Internship
Role
concept, design, renders, presentation
Date
August 2022
Supervisors
arch. Ivailo Andreev
Software
AutoCAD, Rhino, Vray, PromeAi
During my internship at coneyer, I worked on a project for a children’s playground inside one of the rooms of KITA kindergarten, designed by the studio in 2013. Following my mentor’s guidance, I produced concept sketches for the layout and activities to be provided. The final design plays on the architectural style of the kindergarten. I developed the CAD drawings at 1:50, 3D render and a short experiential video, which were later presented to the client.
The room’s layout dictated the placement of the playground along the wall, with its square windows serving as a key design element. My concept centers on the dynamic movement of children and their scale, incorporating two levels of activity. The design encourages interaction with the architecture, where the shape and positioning of the windows are seamlessly integrated into the experience.
The room’s layout dictated the placement of the playground along the wall, with its square windows serving as a key design element. My concept centers on the dynamic movement of children and their scale, incorporating two levels of activity. The design encourages interaction with the architecture, where the shape and positioning of the windows are seamlessly integrated into the experience.
Location Sofia, BG
Type Insternship
Date 2019 - 2024
Supervisors arch Lilia Draganova
Software AutoCAD, Rhino, Photoshop
During my internship at Sogal Furniture, I have worked on various projects for furniture and entire interior design for both residential and commercial buildings. I worked on all stages of the projects - from intial suvey measurements and design proposal to final CAD drawings, quantitycost calculations and visualisations. I consistently delivered design proposals that were highly praised by both clients and senior management for their creativity, functionality, and alignment with project goals. More recently, i have been involved in supporting the company’s marketing strategy by producing visually engaging content for the official Instagram account.
Plan and Elevation
Location Sofia, BG
Type Freelance
Date 2025
Supervisors arch Lilia Draganova
Software AutoCAD, Rhino, Photoshop
During my internship at Sogal Furniture, I have worked on various projects for furniture and entire interior design for both residential and commercial buildings. I worked on all stages of the projects - from intial suvey measurements and design proposal to final CAD drawings, quantitycost calculations and visualisations. I consistently delivered design proposals that were highly praised by both clients and senior management for their creativity, functionality, and alignment with project goals.
More recently, I assisted in the conceptual design phase of a renovation project for the foyer space of one of the most emblematic hotels in Sofia. While preserving the original plaster ceiling and floors, the design adresses the functional and modern aesthetic requirements of the client. The quality of the presentation, renders and design were hihgly praised by the client and helped secure the development of project for the firm.
