Project 155: A Harmonious Blend of Industrial Vintage and Sophistication

Penka Stantcheva's Award-Winning Design Balances Minimalism and Decoration

The 200 m2 residence is strategically located in front of a park, providing a stunning view of the Vitosha mountain. Stantcheva divided the space into three zones: a continuous space for living, dining, and cooking; a private area around the owners' bedroom; and a section dedicated to guests. The challenge was to maintain the visual spaciousness of these zones without making them appear "unfurnished" due to the raw-look finishes.

The unique properties of Project 155 are largely attributed to the floor covering. To achieve the final concrete look, a cement-based self-leveling layer from 3mm to 5mm, produced by Harmony Beton, was used. The bathrooms feature the same material on the walls, with the floor exposed through decorative cement tiles by Bisazza and ceramic tiles by Refin.

All cabinets and the kitchen were custom-designed for the house and produced by a local manufacturer. The kitchen, which appears as a pile of cabinets and appliances, is actually a controlled assembly of 14 different materials. The concrete table Boiacca from Kristalia is a logical extension of the kitchen, while the sofas by Ligne Roset are complemented by traditional carpets from the Chiprovtsi and Rodopi mountain regions.

The lighting fixtures were carefully selected from the collections of Flos, Nemo, Foscarini Diesel, Marset, Dekko, and Petites Fritures. The design team, which included Keti Jivkichova for technical design and Paulina Dimova for 3D modeling, worked closely with the client to achieve a design that was habitable and restrained.

Project 155, which began in Sofia, Bulgaria in November 2015 and was completed in December 2016, was a test of balance between emptiness and density, minimalism and decoration. The successful result, as photographed by Ventzislava Vasileva, earned the design a Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2017. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise, creativity, and innovation.