DepartmentArchitecture
The Plastic Arts Department was established in the academic year 1993/1994, with a faculty of prominent scientists in the field of architecture, in accordance with the priorities of NBU to enhance humanities, new technologies, arts and architecture. The Department follows the models of West European and North American universities and in this respect, it has no analogue in Bulgaria. The department takes pride in having been co-founded by some of the most distinguished experts in this field such as Prof. Serafim Serafimov, Prof. Ognyan Shoshev, Prof. Rumen Raijchev, Assoc. Prof. Magdalena Lazarova, PhD, Assoc. Prof. Yordanka Chernaeva, Tatiana Georgieva, Svetla Chakurova, etc.
The Design and Architecture Department was founded in 2007, with a Resolution of the Academic Council, by the designers and architects at the Department of Plastic Arts. Since then, the new department has implemented many creative projects. The Bachelor’s degree program Plastic Arts and Architecture was developed with six modules in the visual and applied arts, including Architecture. In 2012 with a Resolution of the Academic Council of NBU, two new independent departments were established: the Department of Design and the Department of Architecture.
In 2009 the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency approved a project to found a Master’s degree in Architecture in the professional field 5.7. Architecture, Construction and Geodesy. In 2012 the Master’s Program in Architecture received an excellent accreditation grade for a new five-year term (program accreditation document - link). In 2018, MP Architecture gained its accreditation again with an excellent grade for the next term of five years (program accreditation document – link).
Many Bulgarian architects with rich practical and pedagogical experience have started teaching at the Department Since 2012, when the tutoring Architecture was administered within an independent department. Invitations are to be sent to guest lecturers from distinguished universities abroad. Currently 260 students study at the Department of Architecture.
The liberal idea of education is at the core of the educational philosophy of NBU: The University structure with its three schools, established following the principle of educational degrees as well as the accreditation of the professional fields among which are Philosophy, the Fine Arts, Sociology, Anthropology and Cultural Studies, Theory of the Arts, History and Archeology, Economics, etc. have created the unique opportunity for Bulgaria to integrate the teaching of Architecture into a broad humanities context in line with the best international models.
The philosophy of teaching students in Architecture at the New Bulgarian University includes the following key aspects:
• The changing architectural profession over the past decade in the direction of social, humanities knowledge and ecology - a trend with excellent opportunities for development in the multidisciplinary context of training at the New Bulgarian University;
• The need for expanding the profile of the career opportunities for architects:
- mainly in the project design field;
- combining project design with other business fields,
- the opportunity to hold a wide range of expert and other executive positions in the specialized state and municipal administration;
- engaging architects in sustainable development and "social diagnosis", social integration and solidarity; cultural roots and the historical context.
The training of architecture students at the New Bulgarian University’s MA Architecture is combined with active participation in various architecture events - competitions, seminars, creative trips, etc. (e.g. The Student workshop Arch & UrBaN, the Sofia Architecture Week, etc.).
In 2014 the Architecture Department accredited two new PhD programs in the professional field: 5.7. Architecture, Construction and Geodesy with an excellent grade for a five-year term (program accreditation document - link). In 2020 the post graduate programs of the Department of Architecture gained a new accreditation, again with an excellent grade and with an improved result (program accreditation document – link). The Doctoral Degree Program Architecture of buildings, structures, facilities and details was accredited for the maximum term of six years, and the Doctoral Degree Program Theory and History of Architecture – for a five-year term.
The Architecture Department maintains intensive international contacts with schools of architecture and professional organizations in different countries. In the last few years, the student exchange program ERASMUS+ has fostered exchange of students with the School of Architecture at the Democritus University of Thrace, Greece, Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts - Istanbul, the Nottingham Trent University and the Ulster University, UK. There are also programs in the preparation stage for student exchange training and internships at universities and firms in Italy, the Netherlands, and other countries.
On 4th March, 2013 the internationally renowned architect Prof. Daniel Libeskind, being nominated by the Architecture Department, was awarded the title Honorary Doctor of NBU for his outstanding contribution to the development of modern architectural theory and practice and his involvement in establishing NBU as a leading university in architectural education in Bulgaria.
New Bulgarian University, represented by the Architecture Department, was granted membership in the European Federation for Living (http://www.ef-l.eu/our-members/universities/ ) together with leading Western European universities. (Official letter from the European Federation for Living)
The European Federation for Living is a unique organization, bringing together universities, representatives of the private sector, and public companies. It is aimed at uniting its members in their efforts to achieve sustainable urban and housing development in Europe. The Organization facilitates the joint implementation of research and investment projects of its members.
As a member of the European Federation for Living, and in accordance with its innovative profile, NBU, and the Architecture Department in particular, will participate in research and educational projects on the current problems of the modern city.
Head of Department:
Assoc. Prof. Georgi Georgiev, Ph.D.
Building 2, Room 508
tel.: 02/8110 508
e-mail: gngeorgiev@nbu.bg
Secretary:
Valentina Popova
Building 2, Room 508
tel.: 02 8110 508
e-mail: vpopova@nbu.bg