Capacity Building Academy VIII

Many cities are now facing large, underused office complexes, while nearby residential neighbourhoods often lack accessible public space and cultural life. This separation of work and living areas creates social isolation and leaves valuable urban spaces dormant. In their capacity-building session, the Collective Foundation addressed the question of how to transform these inactive office districts into vibrant community spaces that bring people together.

‘Concrete to Culture’ is a long-term initiative to turn an office complex on the outskirts of Sofia, Bulgaria into an active community space. The collective design process brings together locals, architects and artists to create inclusive mixed-use areas, with seven empty units turned into creative studios along with site-specific artistic installations and performances on the 3000m² rooftop of a car park.

The project began with interviews and a community-wide survey to understand local needs for public space, culture, greenery and shared activities. Based on these insights, the Collective Foundation came up with an initial concept together with Business Park Sofia. Residents, office workers, artists and experts then took part in co-creation workshops to prepare the detailed strategy. The new community space opened with a three-day festival followed by an ongoing cultural programme, bringing to life the former ‘cultural desert’.

The Collective Foundation is a non-profit organization that was founded in Bulgaria in 2020 by a team of professionals in architecture, landscape architecture, urbanism, art and cultural management. It aims to work together with citizens, experts and institutions to create an inspiring shared urban environment.

Banner photo credit: The Collective Foundation