Sofia-based studio NiMa Design has completed Oborishte 26, a brick-clad residential building whose load-bearing façade allows for column-free interiors in the Bulgarian capital’s historic centre. Built on the site of a demolished Socialist-era Brutalist structure, the project received a 2026 Architecture MasterPrize in the Residential Buildings – Mid-Rise category.
Located in the Oborishte neighbourhood, an area shaped by successive periods of architectural development, the building draws on two distinct aspects of its surroundings: the rounded corners characteristic of the district’s historic architecture and the robust, sculptural massing of the structure that previously occupied the site.
These influences are translated into a composition of curved and angular volumes. The rounded forms respond to the geometry and scale of the surrounding streets, while shifts and recesses in the building’s mass create depth, sheltered terraces and varying degrees of privacy. Rather than presenting a continuous façade, the composition is articulated into distinct volumes that establish a changing relationship with the street.
Brick forms the building’s primary exterior material, lending a sense of solidity and texture to its curved surfaces. Deep window reveals and recessed openings reinforce the sculptural character of the façade, creating pronounced shadows that change with the movement of the sun. The contrast between the masonry surfaces and the large glazed openings establishes a balance between enclosure and openness.
The building’s structural system plays a central role in the organization of its residential spaces. By concentrating load-bearing elements along the façade, the design minimizes the need for internal columns and allows for larger uninterrupted floor areas. This approach provides flexibility in the arrangement of the apartments, enabling different spatial configurations without the restrictions of a conventional internal structural grid.
Inside, high ceilings and generous glazing contribute to an open, loft-like character. Large windows bring daylight into the living spaces and frame views of the surrounding neighbourhood, while recessed terraces extend the apartments outdoors. Integrated within the building’s mass, these spaces offer a degree of separation from the street and neighbouring properties.
Two underground levels accommodate residents’ parking, leaving the above-ground floors dedicated to residential use.
Through its combination of sculptural brick volumes, an adaptable structural system and a considered relationship with the surrounding streets, Oborishte 26 introduces a contemporary residential typology into one of Sofia’s established historic neighbourhoods.
