The second issue of “Design Studio 2021”, for students and young experts in architecture, is over.
 

Nowadays, we are living in a world, in which education - its purpose, methods and meaning - are changing fast, like the educational environment itself. The initiatives in this fundamental field can only facilitate and orientate in the right direction to change the society.

 

Architectural education is a whole life. But the foundation is built during the period of studying. In the professional field there is a shortage of  young architects who have mastered the necessary practical skills still at the level “Alma Mater”. We do not allude to the mechanical drawing on a computer programme. More especially, there is a rift, a “gap”, between the obtained skills during the period of studying and future practice.

 

This is the main motivation for establishing/founding the Educational initiative for architects - “ARCHPLAY ACADEMY”, whose “Design Studio 2021” ended in September, 2021. The group of students in 2nd, 3rd and 4th courses from NBU, Institution of Higher Education for Architecture “Lyuben Karavelov” and University for Architecture, Construction and Geodesy, successfully conducted creative education for practical application of the  Prof. Dr. Arch. Stefan Popov’s method, while creating a real project.
 

Why this method?

Because this is the only correct way to arrange the extremely complicated schedule of an architect, standing in front of the white piece of paper, and the way to realise the process of the project itself.   

 

Why “Archplay”?

Because we have forgotten how to “play” in the field of architecture, but in correlation with the particular rules of the project. Because the “game” in the composition is the upgrading over the initially assembled decision, by the Professor’s words - “The advanced pilotage”. These two crucial factors, as connecting elements, are in the foundation of Prof. Stefan Popov’s method, and work entirely as a real, creative platform for architects, especially at the stage of the studying. 

 

For the period of 12 days of the platform, thematic online presentations were listened to, by six guest architects, working in LA, Vienna and in our country. Our highly respected sponsors and partners - “BAUMIT”, “VELUX” and “JAF”, supported us, presented novelties in their technologies to the students. 

 

The projects for a real single family residential building near Sofia, were presented and defended in front of architects. 

 

Finally, with a certificate in the name of Prof. Dr. Arch. Stefan Popop and prize money was awarded to the first-placed project of Stoyan Karamitev, a student in the 2nd course at the University for Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy. Certificates were given to the participating students. 
 

The educational initiative proves practically that in a creative way education, innovative pedagogy and business can collaborate and partner for building a better educational environment in our country, and first-class specialists in the future.