Rotermann quarter, Tallinn, Estonia

Rehabilitation of former industrial zones with a potential for the city.

Text by Pavel Yanchev:

If we look at Bulgaria’s potential from the point of view of old and disused buildings, we would notice an enormous number of zones which are not being exploited and which convey particular memories from the times when they were needed and maintained. In Sofia alone, the examples which come to mind right away are the Sugar Factory, the tram depot at Maria-Luisa Blvd., the industrial zone behind Stochna Gara (Cargo Railway Station) and the Pioneer Railway Station... Not to mention the number of buildings that remained after the industrialization during the totalitarian regime and are disused now. And while the industrial potential in the centres of Bulgarian cities decreases, the price of land in these zones increases and, without being pulled down, they could naturally accommodate some more suitable mixed functions. The architectural challenge and the possibilities for achieving a really high-quality and original design at these places are enormous. The historical and cultural context, in combination with modern architecture, increases the price of the property and fully justifies the investment in a secondary use of old buildings. That is also the case with Rotermann.