Astral Tower is the highest building in Varna, Bulgaria, reaching up to 140 meters. The location of the building lot is chosen based on a thorough urban planning survey and solar analysis. Locked between two main boulevards of the city, Astral Tower is within a walking distance of public and institutional buildings, as well as in close proximity to the historical center.

As a mixed-use tall building, the project’s concept is to offer a way of inhabiting that is co-related with nowadays’ ever-changing daily dynamics. Everyday activities are concentrated into a single building, which allows a person to preserve time and energy in such a way over the span of a single day, that could be channeled to their personal life, family, and recreational activities. The program consists of residential and office spaces, a 4-star hotel, a mall, supermarket, gym, restaurant and café, healthcare services bank offices.

The project design is developed mainly in two volumes of a similar size – a horizontal and a vertical one – that are connected to one another. The design concept is reached after many studies and design proposals for the most appropriate size and ratio that could fit in the context. The major priority is accomplishing a design that is delicate, as well as contemporary and distinctive. In this sense, rounded corners along with the full height and attenuated vertical tectonics give the illusion of a disappearing building silhouette. In this way, the building itself fits in the most unobstructed way into the context with its size.

Building systems and technologies that are used aim to provide optimal comfort of inhabiting and to take into account the global current events. The HVAC system eliminates the need of positioning additional technical levels along with the tower. Using the VRF 3-pipe system provides individual control of the temperature through the heat recovery process and allows delivering of additional fresh and clean air, that helps natural ventilation as well.

Additionally, high-speed elevators and garbage chute systems are included. Due to the everyday need for contact with nature and optimizing visual comfort, a wide area of an extensive green roof and public green roof terrace between the two volumes are included. Building’s façade is integrated with LED lighting strips along with all vertical elements. Using light design and engineering, at night, they are turned into changing abstract animations and light shows.

The classic structural scheme of “tube in a tube” allows for a full 360-degree view from all 40 floors that opens a spectacular panorama towards the Black Sea and the whole city. The parking demand of inhabitants and visitors is completely satisfied with 5 underground levels.

Technical sheet

Project Name: Astral Tower

Location: Varna, Bulgaria

Design Year: 2020

Built area: 111 000 sq.m

Client: Astral Concept

Architect: STARH, Svetoslav Stanislavov

Design team: Petar Nikolov, Iva Kostova, Hristo Dushev, Dimitar Katzarov, Geogri Pasev, Borislav Stanchev, Desislava Geogieva, Vladimir Kavaev, Ivan Kovachev, Debora Dimitrova, Sanya Kovacheva.

About STARH

STARH is a contemporary architecture practice that is devoted to a cause to break through stereotypes with a fresh, different, and bold approach. A mission that aims to benefit society and to bring inner satisfaction. Based in Varna and Sofia, Bulgaria, in the last decades the studio has gained local and international recognition by renowned architectural platforms and architectural awards.