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With the construction of the new scientific laboratory at the Bulgarian Antarctic Base on Livingston Island, the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute (BAI) has gained a new standing in Antarctic research, said architect Penka Stancheva in an interview with BTA. Stancheva recently received the national Building of the Year Award for this lab, which was inaugurated in February 2025.
According to her, the award recognizes the efforts of the entire team – the designers, the clients and everyone else involved at various stages of the project’s realization. “The people whose thought, energy and sweat went into this project are more than just one or two – if I were to list their names, it would be a long list, and I would risk leaving someone out. This award is an acknowledgment that the efforts of the entire team have been noticed and appreciated,” said the architect.
She explained that one of the first tasks in designing the research laboratory was to consider the method of construction and logistics. “In Antarctica, with winds far stronger than those we are used to, reaching 130–170 km/h, the task of building a structure becomes more complicated. Weather conditions are a serious challenge when working on such a project and must be taken into account during the design process. The short three-month construction season, coupled with frequently changing weather, which can surprise you with alternating strong winds, rain, or both, made the implementation of the project a test of will. The fabrication of the metal structure in Bulgaria, its preliminary assembly and disassembly at the factory, transportation to Livingston Island, unloading from the ship onto the shore, lifting it to the construction site, and finally the actual construction – each of these stages would be routine elsewhere, but here they were central challenges,” said Stancheva.
She emphasized that the lab was designed primarily with the conditions and environment of Antarctica in mind, understanding the nature of the place as an experience. “For me, it was important to propose a building that is simple to execute and convenient to use, and to let go in time of my desire to ‘show off’ with this project. I believe that this is exactly why my proposal caught the attention of the competition jury and why it was chosen for realization,” she said. She noted that all design decisions were made in consideration of both the climate and the needs of the scientists. According to her, functionality was the guiding principle in the building’s design. “The simplicity of the layout ensures efficient operation. The way the building is designed also allows new modules to be added in the future, both in the residential and research wings,” said Stancheva.
She added that architecture can be a form of national presence and prestige, “but in this case, the award recognizes, above all, the determination to realize the building. And yes, the final result is important for the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute – they now hold a new place on the map of Antarctic research.”
The new research lab at the Bulgarian Antarctic Base was constructed between 2021 and 2024 and houses three specialized units for Earth sciences, biological sciences, and a general lab. Its creation is intended to allow rapid and efficient analysis of samples collected in Antarctica directly on site, significantly enhancing the efficiency and scope of scientific research.
