News and Publications - Pavlina Koeva-Ratcheva

2023 CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE 2023 1-2

December 2022 I was aske to write an article about my experience as an architect. The publication in Architecture 2023 1-2 includes an interview about the new children's hospital in Sofia and my experience "building bridges" in Bulgaria.

Pavlina Koeva - Racheva graduated Faculty of Architecture, UACEG, Sofia with Gold Medal.

Her diploma work the Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant “Chaira” with Prof. Arch. Metodi Pisarski is awarded with a Diploma by UAB, The Union of Architects in Bulgaria.

Member of: Union of Architects in Bulgaria, UAB; Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria, CAB; ; Royal Institute of British Architects RIBA; Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland RIAS; Edinburgh Architectural Association; EAA

Awards: Honorary Diploma UAB 2019; Diploma, INTERARCH’12 Sofia, Diploma Industrial Buildings, National review of the Bulgarian Architecture, Gold Medal UACEG

NATIONAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, SOFIA BULGARIA

Ø Your name is among the authors of new a generation of healthcare facilities: “St. Marina” Hospital in Bulgaria.; Queens Park Hospital; St Helens Hospital, Forth Valley Royal Hospital; Tameside Hospital and The Neuroscience Laboratory The University of Edinburgh, UK

Ø What is the key to success of these projects?

Whether it is a high-tech hospital, UNESCO World Heritage building, high-profile clients, thousands of miles away, or a family house tucked away in the mountains, we approach each task with integrity and respect, cherish the experience, listen, learn and remain humble and always deliver on our promises.

From my teachers I learned patience and dedication. Over the years we learned to “step into the shoes” of those we design for. Constructive dialogue, brings together the client with the design team, the contractors and stakeholders. The architect has a leading role as an active participant in this dialogue.

Ø What is your experience, what type of contracts are suitable for healthcare projects? ,

Bringing together activities in the construction industry, when tenders are evaluated and awarded on the principle of quality rather than price alone has many advantages.

Ø Bulgaria does not have a National Children Hospital. What does it mean for the child health care in a country, member of the European Union?

Bulgaria is the only country in the EU without a national children's hospital. This is apriority with a national importance. We have programs and strategies, Let's focus on their implementation.

BUILDING BRIDGES 2009 - 2023

“We build too many walls and not enough bridges” Sir Isaac Newton

Mineral Baths Bankya, Bulgaria In 2009 my mum had a massive stroke and started a long process of recovery. One day she looked in disbelief at the abandoned building of the mineral baths in Bankya and I turned up at the door of the local Mayer’s office and asked: “What are you planning to do about that building in the park…?” The initial strategy and concepts for the restoration of the Mineral Baths, Bankya started by mum’s hospital bed.

My mum lost her speech, she found her singing voice and I found the purpose of my stay in Bulgaria.

Sveta Marina Hospital, Bulgaria is designed to create a state-of-the-art environment for advanced technologies in the robotic surgery. It does apply an analytical and innovative approach as a part of new generation healthcare facilities in Bulgaria. Our work was inspired by an exceptional team of highly qualified consultants. The project was presented at and awarded with a Diploma by the International Academy of Architecture at the international forum XIII World Triennial “INTERARCH`2012”

Giving back to the people we love, fighting for their life, for the voices that haven’t been heard yet, bringing back a loved one and making them sing again.

Family homes restoration and conservation projects in Bulgaria. Every project is a new beginning. We approach each task with integrity and respect, cherish the experience, listen, learn and remain humble.

Seminar for representatives, professional organisations, builders, artists, architects and students, dedicated to the Bulgarian family house tradition and perspectives.

That keeps me going.

Giving back to the society, bringing back to life a building without expecting anything in return and just keep looking for that lost human voices.

Dedicated to my Mother Velika Penkova Koeva, a teacher, mathematician and humanitarian.