A Space for Contemporary Art and Culture – Park Zone Three
Dezeen Competitions: A Space for Contemporary Art and Culture – Park Zone Three invites designers to propose a bold new vision for Burgas, Bulgaria.
Designers should propose a transformative vision for a "central urban void" within the city, known as The Hole.
This competition is now closed
Organiser: Optimistas
Competition: A Space for Contemporary Art and Culture – Park Zone Three
Judges: to be announced in due course
Registration deadline: 14 January 2026
Winner announcement: 16 February 2026
Prizes: the first prize is €50,000, the second prize is €30,000, and the third prize is €15,000. There will be two honourable mentions, who will receive €7,500 each
Competition overview
The Municipality of Burgas and the Burgas 2032 Foundation have launched an international architectural competition named A Space for Contemporary Art and Culture – Park Zone Three.
The competition invites Bulgarian and foreign architects, artists, and multidisciplinary teams to propose a bold vision for the transformation of a central urban void in Burgas, locally known as The Hole.
The initiative is part of Burgas's long-term cultural strategy and supports the city's candidacy for European Capital of Culture 2032.
Historically, the site has been known as The Hole after it remained undeveloped since 1989, when plans for a department store were abandoned, leaving an empty concrete structure in the city centre.
After decades of legal disputes and stalled developments, the municipality has now opened the way for this landmark competition to redefine the area as a symbol of Burgas' cultural and urban renewal.
Located in the heart of the city, the site will be transformed to connect three main zones: a park environment, cultural spaces, and administrative services.
The aim is to create an innovative and functional concept for a contemporary urban space. Participants are invited to design a vibrant public hub for art, culture, events, and community interaction.
Eligibility and judging criteria
The competition is open to architects and multidisciplinary teams worldwide.
The initiative intends to give everyone the opportunity to present their creative ideas, tailored to the needs of the community, with the aim of creating a unique place for interaction, communication, and social integration.
Projects are evaluated on design quality, functionality, innovation, and sustainability in creating a feasible, contemporary vision for Burgas's city centre.
Registration and participation are free.
How to enter
All Bulgarian and foreign individuals, legal entities, and associations may enter the competition without restriction, provided that each person or team submits only one project and maintains full anonymity.
Participants must include or commit to include licensed designers with full design capacity if ranked among the top three, while jury members, municipal employees, those involved in drafting the brief, sanctioned persons, or Russian nationals and entities are excluded from participation.
To access the full documentation, register, and submit your ideas, visit the competition's website.
Submission deadlines
The deadline for asking any questions is 9 January 2026.
The deadline for registration is 14 January, with the submission deadline being 19 January.
Winners will be announced on 16 February.
About Optimistas
Optimistas serves as an international stage for architectural competitions.
The organisation is built on the values of fairness, transparency and equal access for architects and designers globally.
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