Firefly pediatric ward wins architecture award advice, REDOX architects, America for Bulgaria Foundation, ABF fund

Firefly Pediatric Ward Wins Architecture Award

14 August 2025

A new pediatric ward at Dobrich Hospital in northeastern Bulgaria is changing the way hospitals care for children. Named “Firefly – a hospital that doesn’t look like a hospital,” this special project has earned the 2025 BIG SEE Architecture Award, a respected honor in European design.

Designed with families and medical staff in mind, the Firefly ward uses bright colors, creative murals, and home-like spaces to help children feel safe and comfortable. The modern facility is built to meet medical needs while also offering play areas and quiet zones, aiming to support both healing and well-being for young patients and their loved ones.

Assistance Provided by the America for Bulgaria Foundation

The America for Bulgaria Foundation has played a key role in supporting this project. ABF is an independent, nonpartisan U.S. philanthropic organization created from the legacy of the Bulgarian-American Enterprise Fund, which launched after the fall of communism to promote economic growth in Bulgaria.

Type: Independent, nonpartisan, and nonpolitical
Focus: Partnership with Bulgarians
Goals: Enhance the private sector and democratic structures

Their involvement helped make progress possible and contributed valuable resources. The America for Bulgaria Foundation is a major philanthropic force in Bulgaria, dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurship, strengthening democracy, enriching human capital, and preserving cultural heritage. Backed by long-term investment and a commitment to collaboration, ABF continues to shape Bulgaria’s economic and societal progress.

BIG SEE Architecture Award

The BIG SEE Architecture Award recognizes outstanding achievements in architecture within Southeast Europe. This honor highlights creative and forward-thinking projects that make a positive impact on people’s lives and communities.

The BIG SEE Architecture Award is a prestigious international accolade that celebrates exceptional architectural achievements with a strong emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and contextual design. Originally launched in 2018 to highlight creativity across Southeast Europe, the award has since expanded to include submissions from around the world. Organized by Zavod BIG, the award is part of the broader BIG SEE platform and is presented annually at the BIG Architecture Festival in Ljubljana, Slovenia. It recognizes excellence across various categories, including residential, public, tourism, and experimental architecture, offering winners media exposure, professional recognition, and the opportunity to compete for the coveted Grand Prix. The award fosters cross-border collaboration and promotes architecture that enhances both the built environment and cultural identity.

Candidates for the award come from 21 countries, reflecting a wide mix of ideas and solutions in architecture. The award focuses on innovation, creativity, and promoting better environments, especially in fields like healthcare.

Key Criteria for the Award:

Innovation in design
Positive social impact
Creativity in projects
Human-centered approach

Projects such as Firefly show how design can directly help patients, especially children, by improving their hospital experience beyond medical treatment. The BIG SEE Architecture Award brings attention to these projects and encourages progress in architecture across the region.

REDOX Architecture Studio

REDOX Architecture Studio is a Varna-based firm led by architect Konstantin Slavov, distinguished by its refined minimalist aesthetic rooted in harmony with nature and contextual sensitivity. The studio embraces a philosophy that architecture should both provoke and nurture “creating a beautiful environment brings aesthetic values… in harmony with humanity and the laws of nature.”

From striking residential buildings like the modern, wood-and-glass Pchelina project overlooking the sea to innovative public spaces like their multi‑functional CityLines complex, REDOX consistently delivers clean geometric lines, high-quality materials, and seamless integration with surroundings. Their portfolio spans private homes, medical centres, training facilities, and hospitality venues, all crafted with a passion for sustainable, long-lasting design.

Areas of Work:

Healthcare
Hospitality
Residential builds
Education facilities

REDOX architects are committed to both innovation and sustainability. Social impact is an important part of their philosophy, so their projects aim to support well-being and foster community.

This firm’s work seeks to connect people with their surroundings and create places that offer comfort and inspiration.

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