International Conference Architectural Expertise and Mediation in the Construction Sector Date: 30 April 2026, starting at 13:30 Location: Crowne Plaza Sofia Hotel, Vitosha Hall, 111 Al. Malinov Blvd., SofiaTo view the programme, click here. To register your participation, click here.Download the poster here.
On 25.09.2026, the public defense of the dissertation work of Arch., Dipl.-Ing. Stoyan Todorov took place on the topic “Organizational models for building construction in Bulgaria and Bavaria and formation of professional tasks of architects”. The work examines important topics related to construction contracting models in Bulgaria and Bavaria, as well as the role of the architect in the entire building construction process. After a unanimous positive assessment by the Scientific Jury, Arch., Dipl.-Ing. Stoyan Todorov was awarded the educational and scientific degree “DOCTOR”.
Професионалната отговорност на архитекта: как работи застраховането в Германия?
In the phases of preliminary research, conceptual design and preparation of documentation for a construction permit, the architect performs much more than a creative function. He analyzes different concepts, compares their functional, technical and financial advantages and disadvantages and assists the client in selecting the most suitable solution.After selecting a concept, the project is developed in detail, gradually coordinating with all engineering specialties. The preparation of documentation for a construction permit is particularly important, where the architect is responsible not only for compliance with legal requirements but also for integrating constructive, fire-fighting and engineering solutions into a single comprehensive project.The interview also discusses the differences between German and Bulgarian practice, as well as the understanding of the architect as a generalist - a professional who bears overall responsibility for the implementation of the investment intention, from the initial idea to the completed building.
Арх. и урбанист, дипл.-инж. Луц Хезе – почетен президент на Баварската камара на архитектитео бяснява, че застрахователите в Германия обичайно застават зад архитектите, но не признават автоматично всяка претенция. Тяхната роля е не само да изплащат обезщетения при доказана отговорност, но и да защитават застрахованите архитекти от неоснователни искове.В епизода се разглеждат и типични казуси — конструктивни дефекти, проблеми с прегряване на сградата, шумоизолация и въпроси дали причината е в проектирането, изпълнението или използваните материали. Според разговора тези случаи рядко имат еднозначен отговор и често изискват експертизи, измервания и съдебна оценка.Особен акцент е поставен върху разликите между Германия и България. В България много архитекти получават професионална застраховка чрез Камарата на архитектите, докато в Германия премиите за средно голямо архитектурно бюро могат да достигнат около 10 000 евро годишно, тъй като архитектите често носят отговорност не само за проектирането, но и за контрола до завършването на обекта.Финалът на разговора поставя важния въпрос за ролята на архитекта след издаването на разрешението за строеж. Според госта възложителят може да спести от хонорар, ако не ангажира архитекта до края на строителството, но така не получава пълната архитектурна услуга и рискува да размие отговорността при проблеми с готовата сграда.
Луц Хезе разказва как електронните разрешения за строеж, BIM и независимият технически контрол повишават ефективността и качеството.
Как се подава дигитално заявление за строеж?Според Луц Хезе електронното заявяване на разрешение за строеж е важна стъпка към по-прозрачна, ефективна и сигурна работа.Проектните чертежи и текстовите документи се подават по електронен път, като информацията остава достъпна и може да бъде проследена при необходимост. Това намалява риска от изгубени документи и улеснява работата както на архитектите и възложителите, така и на администрацията.Към момента документацията за разрешаване на строителството се предава основно в PDF формат. Чертежите могат да бъдат създадени като двумерни разработки или да бъдат генерирани от триизмерен BIM модел.BIM не трябва да бъде самоцелВ архитектурното си бюро Луц Хезе се стреми процесът да бъде ориентиран към BIM още от началните етапи на проектирането.Работата с триизмерен модел позволява по-лесно да бъдат откривани несъответствия между архитектурните, конструктивните и инсталационните решения. Така могат предварително да се избегнат грешки, които при традиционното двумерно проектиране често се установяват едва по време на строителството.По думите му използването на BIM не е задължително за всеки проект. Решението трябва да зависи от неговата сложност, целите на възложителя и реалните ползи, които моделът ще има през целия жизнен цикъл на сградата.Как работи строителната администрация в Бавария?След подаването на заявлението администрацията първо проверява дали документацията е пълна. Когато липсват документи, възложителят или упълномощеният архитект получава указания да ги предостави.Процедурата преминава през две основни нива. Първо общината или местният колективен орган се произнася по целесъобразността на инвестиционното намерение. След това документацията се изпраща до областната строителна администрация, която проверява съответствието с нормативните изисквания и издава разрешението за строеж.Областната администрация може да не приеме решението на местния орган, когато прецени, че предложеното застрояване надхвърля допустимото.Кои проектни части подлежат на контрол?При по-големите сгради конструктивният проект и пожарната безопасност преминават през отделна проверка. Контролът се извършва от квалифицирани и официално лицензирани експерти, които носят лична професионална отговорност за своите заключения.Инсталационните проектни части обичайно не се проверяват по същия начин, освен когато към тях има специални изисквания, свързани с пожарната безопасност или със статута на сградата като паметник на културата.Проверяващите инженери следят не само изчисленията и проектната документация, но и дали изпълнението на строителната площадка съответства на одобрения проект.Как се избягва конфликтът на интереси?В Бавария административният орган определя кой лицензиран експерт ще извърши техническия контрол. Проектантът на конструкцията не избира сам инженера, който ще проверява неговата работа.Според Луц Хезе това е важна гаранция за независимост и начин за ограничаване на потенциалните конфликти на интереси още при възлагането на контрола.Гледайте целия епизод и научете повече за дигитализацията на разрешителните процедури, приложението на BIM и организацията на строителния контрол в Германия.
Работното проектиране и отговорността на архитектаВъв фаза 5 се разработват подробните работни чертежи и критичните детайли, по които ще бъде изпълнена сградата. Според Луц Хезе именно вниманието към детайла е един от най-ясните показатели за качеството на архитектурната работа.Работният проект не се внася отново за административно одобрение, тъй като инвестиционното намерение вече е разрешено. Архитектът обаче трябва да следи дали работните чертежи отговарят на одобрения проект.Когато възложителят поиска промени по време на строителството и те подлежат на одобрение, архитектът трябва своевременно да го информира и да инициира необходимата процедура. Целта е завършеният строеж да съответства на валидното разрешение за строеж.Подготовка на тръжните книжа и точните строителни офертиФаза 6 обхваща подготовката на тръжната документация и подробното текстово описание на строителните дейности. Чертежите показват проекта графично, но изпълнителите трябва да разполагат и с информация за количествата, материалите, стандартите и начина на изпълнение.Колкото по-подробно и точно са описани строителните работи, толкова по-прецизни могат да бъдат офертите. Това намалява риска от непредвидени разходи и допълнителни плащания по време на строителството.В Германия архитектите използват стандартизирани описания на строителни услуги, които служат като основа при изготвянето на тръжните книжа. Те се адаптират към конкретния проект и се обсъждат точка по точка с възложителя.Защо архитектът трябва да участва при избора на строителВъв фаза 7 архитектът подпомага възложителя при анализа на офертите, преговорите със строителните компании и избора на изпълнител.Луц Хезе подчертава, че преговорите не трябва да се свеждат единствено до настояване за по-ниска цена. Когато бюджетът трябва да бъде намален, е необходимо да се прецени кои количества, материали или решения могат да бъдат променени, без да се компрометира качеството на проекта.Тази оценка изисква технически и архитектурни знания. Затова според него водещата роля в подобни преговори трябва да бъде на архитекта, а не единствено на юристи или икономисти.Строителният надзор като най-трудоемка фазаФаза 8 представлява приблизително 31% от цялостната архитектурна услуга. Причината е необходимостта архитектът редовно да присъства на строителната площадка и да следи дали работата се изпълнява съобразно проекта, договора и приложимите стандарти.Архитектът проверява:разположението и размерите на конструктивните и архитектурните елементи;качеството на изпълнение;съответствието с работните чертежи;допустимите отклонения;изпълнението на договорените материали и решения;своевременното отстраняване на установените грешки.Според Луц Хезе забавеното установяване на една грешно изградена стена или неправилно изпълнен детайл може да доведе до значителни финансови щети. Затова са необходими регулярни срещи с изпълнителите, писмени протоколи и системно документиране на строителния процес.Ролята на архитекта през гаранционните сроковеПоследната, девета фаза обхваща гаранционния период след завършването на сградата. При появата на дефекти архитектът трябва да определи кой изпълнител носи отговорност и да съдейства за отстраняването на проблема в рамките на съответната гаранция.Така професионалната работа на архитекта не приключва с получаването на разрешение за строеж или с предаването на чертежите. В идеалния случай той придружава възложителя от първоначалната идея до приключването на гаранционните срокове.Какво означава успешен строителен проектВ разговора успехът на проекта е определен като постигане на предварително договорените изисквания за качество, цена и срок.Получаването на разрешение за строеж е важен резултат, но представлява само успех на проектантската фаза. Реалният успех настъпва едва когато сградата бъде изпълнена качествено, в рамките на бюджета и според очакванията на възложителя.В основата на този процес стои взаимното доверие. Необходимо е възложителят да се доверява на професионалната преценка на архитекта, но и архитектът да има доверие във възложителя и в неговата готовност да взема информирани решения.Авторските права и смяната на архитектаВ края на епизода се разглежда и въпросът за авторските права при смяна на архитекта в различните фази на проекта.При по-големите проекти в Германия тези отношения обикновено се уреждат предварително в договора. Така се определя дали възложителят има право да променя проекта и при какви условия работата може да бъде продължена от друг архитект.Препоръката е евентуалното разделяне на фазите между различни специалисти да бъде договорено още в началото. Най-добрият вариант за възложителя обаче остава работата с един архитект или архитектурен екип през целия инвестиционен процес.Основен извод от подкастаАрхитектът не е само автор на идея и проектант на чертежи. Той е професионалистът, който трябва да защитава интересите на възложителя, да контролира качеството, да съдейства при избора на изпълнители и да поема отговорност за решенията през целия строителен процес.Колкото по-пълноценно е сътрудничеството между архитекта и възложителя, толкова по-голяма е вероятността проектът да бъде завършен успешно – с необходимото качество, в договорения срок и в рамките на предвидения бюджет.
From the selection of a design solution to the construction permit
Lutz Heese: The architect is a profession of trust
In an interview for the Alliance for High - Quality Baukultur in Bulgaria and the information portal Stroitelbg.bg, the honorary president of the Bavarian Chamber of Architects Lutz Heese comments on the role of the architect as a trusted person of the client. According to him, a good architect should be able to not only create a project, but also predict the construction cost, monitor the budget in all phases and timely warn of a risk of exceeding the financial framework. Among the main topics of the conversation are economic planning in architectural practice, the role of BKI as a database for construction costs, the importance of professional qualification and the consequences of working below the cost of architectural labor.
Arch. Stoyan Todorov, Chairman of the Alliance for High Quality Baukultur, gave an interview to BNR in the program "Horizon" in connection with the construction standards in Bulgaria, consumer culture and the quality of the environment, making a comparison with the practice in Germany based on his rich experience there.
The purchase of a home or investment in renovation is among the most significant financial decisions in a person's life. Despite this, while consumer protection is well developed for everyday goods and services, in the construction sector it still remains insufficiently represented. In such situations, the rapid and professional clarification of facts is of key importance. That's why the Center for Architectural Consultations, Expertise and Mediation (KEM) was created at the Alliance for High Quality Baukultur - the first specialized structure in Bulgaria, which offers independent expert assessment and out-of-court dispute resolution in the construction sector. The center was created to assist citizens, co-owners, investors, designers and construction companies in the event of conflicts, offering professional technical expertise and mediation between the parties. The lack of standards is a major obstacle to the quality of construction in Bulgaria. According to Arch. Todorov, the quality in construction cannot be objectively assessed without clearly defined standards. In countries like Germany, there are established rules and criteria that define what a quality construction product is. This creates prerequisites for different interpretations and hinders both control and consumer protection. The presence of clear technical standards allows potential conflicts and disputes over defects to be resolved quickly and easily. It is in this respect that the role of independent experts is strongly represented in the West, who actively contribute to the clarification of the causes of problems and the accurate distribution of responsibility. The ideology of KEM follows the principles of impartiality and objectivity in the preparation of expertise, with which to help consumers make informed decisions. Often, society associates quality construction only with the use of good materials. However, the reality is much more complex. Quality begins at the design stage and passes through all phases of the construction process. A building can be of high quality only when three basic prerequisites are met - professionally developed design, quality building materials and correct, controlled execution of the project. The lack of any of these elements compromises the final result. Therefore, responsibility for quality is not only on the builder, but on all participants in the process - architects, engineers, investors and control bodies. One of the serious problems on the Bulgarian real estate market is that many buyers make decisions without consulting specialists. Instead of seeking the opinion of an architect or engineer, they often rely solely on information from intermediaries in real estate transactions. Arch. Todorov advises buyers to seek experts for consultation before buying a property, as they can competently, based on experience and knowledge, provide an objective opinion on the quality of the construction. For consumers, this means greater security when purchasing, building, renovating or accepting construction work. And for all participants in the construction process - the possibility of professional dialogue and protection of their interests through expertise, rather than through prolonged conflicts. At the moment, the Alliance for High Building Culture is preparing a special Consumer Handbook, which will provide basic knowledge and practical guidelines for recognizing legitimate and quality construction products. The initiative is a step towards better informing consumers and building a culture of quality in the construction sector. A quality living environment is not just the result of good intentions. It requires clear rules, professional responsibility, working control and active, informed consumers. Only in this way can it be guaranteed that investments in construction will bring long-term value both for the individual owner and for society as a whole. In this direction, the activity of the Alliance for High Quality Baukultur is developing, with the main goal of the association being to support consumers and raise their building culture, based on the experience of experts in the field. The Center for Architectural Consultations, Expertise and Mediation offers services to support all participants in the construction process from idea to implementation and subsequent operation. Among the services of KEM are: architectural and construction-technical consultations, expert opinions in case of suspected defects and poor construction, analysis of the compliance between the project and its implementation, independent assessment of technical problems in buildings, assistance in resolving disputes through mediation and expert support for owners and investors in protecting their rights. The advantage of this approach is that many disputes can be resolved much faster and at lower costs compared to court proceedings. In addition to saving time and resources, independent expertise helps to find balanced solutions based on professional standards and technical facts.
On April 30, 2026, in Sofia, the international conference "Architectural Expertise and Mediation in the Construction Sector" was held, organized by AVSK. The event brought together architects, engineers, mediators, lawyers, brokers, and experts from Bulgaria and abroad around a common cause - the introduction of a higher construction culture, professional standards, and effective mechanisms for out-of-court dispute resolution in the construction sector. A special guest at the event was arch., dipl.-ing. Lutz Heese - Honorary President of the Bavarian Chamber of Architects and Honorary Member of the Union of Architects in Free Practice in Germany.
On April 30, 2026, in Sofia, an international conference "Architectural Expertise and Mediation in the Construction Sector" was held, organized by ABCS. The event brought together architects, engineers, mediators, lawyers, brokers, and experts from Bulgaria and abroad around a common cause - introducing a higher construction culture, professional standards, and effective mechanisms for out-of-court dispute resolution in the construction sector. A special guest at the event was Arch. Dipl.-Ing. Lutz Heese - Honorary President of the Bavarian Chamber of Architects and Honorary Member of the Union of Freelance Architects in Germany. The conference was a conclusion to the training of architects in dispute resolution in the construction sector using expertise and mediation, based on established German practices and out-of-court dispute resolution in this field. During the conference, key topics such as the practice of the architectural profession, quality standards in construction, the role of the consumer in the construction process, out-of-court dispute resolution through mediation, and the interaction between all participants in the construction sector were discussed. Arch. Dipl.-Ing. Stoyan Todorov, Chairman of the ABCS Board, opened the conference, presenting a report that showed the results of the previous training and presented the German model for resolving conflicts in construction through independent technical expertise and mediation. Particular attention was paid to the topic of standards in construction. Arch. Diana Ilieva, a member of the ABCS Board, presented the work on adapting and introducing good European practices and standards in the Bulgarian construction environment. It was emphasized that the lack of current and widely accepted standards hinders both quality control and the protection of public interest. Adv. Sevdalina Alexandrova, a mediator with many years of experience, highlighted the importance of mediation as a tool for quick and effective conflict resolution. According to her, when the parties have competent experts and professional mediation, a large part of the disputes can be resolved within hours instead of after years of court proceedings. Arch. Dipl.-Ing. Svetlana Srebrova and Dipl.-Ing. Dimitrinka Nikolina, a member of the ABCS Board, presented a report that examined the place of the consumer in the construction process according to Bulgarian and German standards, emphasizing the importance of its correct positioning. The podium discussion related to the report sparked interest among the audience and reinforced the importance of clear and transparent relationships in the construction process. At the end of the conference, Arch. Dipl.-Ing. Stoyan Todorov awarded certificates to the trained professionals and announced the start of the activity of the first specialized center in Bulgaria for architectural consultations, expertise, and mediation (KEM), created at the initiative of the participants in the course. The center aims to support citizens, investors, designers, and builders in the event of disputes, offering professional expertise and mediation as an alternative to lengthy and costly court proceedings. The trained specialists will now be able to assist in finding balanced solutions that save time, resources, and unnecessary conflicts. This is an important step towards a more modern, effective, and sustainable construction environment in Bulgaria. The conference showed that the construction sector in Bulgaria needs a new culture of professional dialogue, transparency, and expertise, and can draw on good practices from Western European countries. The conference was organized under the Erasmus+ program of the European Union, project focused on the architectural guild in Bulgaria and the transfer of good practices from Germany, under the title: "Training for architects in resolving professional disputes with the means of mediation and expertise" (2024-2-BG01-KA210-VET-000292975).
Architects and experts discuss standards in construction, mediation and out-of-court dispute resolution. The conference will present the start of the activity of the first in Bulgaria "Center for Architectural Consultations, Expertise and Mediation" (KEM). You can read the whole article from here.
The Association Alliance for High - Quality Baukultur the Association Agreements, the Foundation Institute for Digital Transformations and ST Architekten GmbH are organising an international final conference under the project Training for Architects in Resolving Professional Disputes by Means of Mediation and Expertise funded by the Erasmus+ Programme. Special guests of the conference are arch. Lutz Heese – Honorary President of the Bavarian Chamber of Architects and arch. Alexandra Heese – Vice-President of the Union of Free Professions in Bavaria. The forum will feature 5 presentations, a panel discussion and the awarding of certificates to architects who have completed the course. To view the programme, click here. To register your participation, click here. Download the poster here.
The conference is organized as part of project 2024-2-BG01-KA210-VET-000292975 entitled „Training for Architects on Resolving Professional Disputes through Mediation and Expertise“ (TrAMEx), implemented under the Erasmus+ Programme by the Foundation “Institute for Digital Transformations”, ST Architekten GmbH, the Association “Alliance for High Bau Culture” and the Association “Agreements”. Funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed belong entirely to the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Centre for Human Resources Development. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Successfully completed the second session of trainingto for architects on dispute resolution in the construction sector with the means of expertise and mediation, based on the proven German experience in this field. A total of 164 architects participated, and 48 professionals successfully passed the exams. The training consisted of two modules of 40 academic hours - technical expertise and mediation skills - with the aim of improving the qualification and expanding the professional opportunities of architects. The project ends on 30.04.2026 with a conference on the topic: Architectural expertise and mediation in the construction sector, with the participation of: - arch. Lutz Heese – Honorary President of the Bavarian Chamber of Architects and · - arch. Alexandra Heese – Vice-President of the Union of Free Professions in Bavaria. The conference aims to present the results of the project and the prospects for development related to the issue of preparing expertise and mediation in architecture and construction in Bulgaria. Six reports will be presented and a podium discussion will be held on publicly significant topics for the sector. Wait for the start of registration soon!
The training is organized as part of project 2024-2-BG01-KA210-VET-000292975 entitled „Training for Architects on Resolving Professional Disputes through Mediation and Expertise“ (TrAMEx), implemented under the Erasmus+ Programme by the Foundation “Institute for Digital Transformations”, ST Architekten GmbH, the Association “Alliance for High Bau Culture” and the Association “Agreements”. Funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed belong entirely to the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Centre for Human Resources Development. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
In the interview he comments on current problems for the development of consumer culture in Bulgaria, the blurred border between private and public interests in the "Construction" sector and the process of deterioration of the environment as a result of this imbalance. The video can be seen here.
The Executive Board (EB) of the non-profit association 'Alliance for High-Quality Baukultur' (AVSK), Reg. Number: 207414276, registered office in Stara Zagora 6000, 44 Industrialna Str., Second floor, pursuant to Art. 19, Point 1 of the Statute, is calling a meeting of the General Assembly on January 31, 2026 (Saturday) at 3:00 PM at 11 Krakra Str, Sofia.download invitation
The Alliance for High Construction Culture held a roundtable on 20 November 2025 at the Bau Academy in Sofia dedicated to the degradation of the living environment in Bulgaria and the responsibility of architects and builders. The discussion brought together representatives of the European Commission, academia, civil society, business, architects and citizens. After an in depth examination of the obstacles preventing high quality construction and a healthy living environment, the Alliance’s experts outlined their key conclusions. Ivan Markov, a member of the Management Board, stressed that the degradation of Bulgaria’s living environment is systemic. He linked it to the absence of a free market, compromised rulemaking and harmful administrative, judicial and business practices. He noted that construction output for 2024 amounts to 24 386 million BGN, yet official statistics do not differentiate between public and private investment. This obscures structural distortions in the sector and the roles of its participants. Markov called for the removal of remnants of socialist doctrine from legislation, the restoration of the architect’s role, the implementation of Directive 2018/958 of the European Union and a clear separation between spatial planning and the administration of investment projects.
Architect and certified civil engineer Stoyan Todorov, Chair of the Management Board, presented an analysis of energy efficiency renovation programmes based on numerous reports from homeowners associations whose buildings are currently being renovated and who have sought support from the Alliance’s experts. He emphasised that the current model is organisationally flawed and that campaign driven approaches artificially inflate prices and reduce the quality of implementation. He identified a lack of transparency in contractor selection processes, procedural issuance of Act 15 without substantive verification, minimal architectural and construction supervision and contractual practices that leave the warranty period without financial security as key causes of harm to homeowners. Todorov presented the software platform How to Renovate Properly, the first of its kind in Bulgaria, designed to help users monitor the quality of renovation works in their buildings. Architect Stefan Tsonev, Deputy Chair of the Management Board, examined the case of Elenite, where numerous violations of the law were recorded, including spatial planning breaches, changes in land use and construction within riverbeds. The analysis revealed connections between institutions and actors across various levels of government leading to financial damage amounting to millions, loss of life and systematic breaches of legislation. Tsonev proposed the creation of an extra parliamentary professional commission empowered to investigate the investment process and request documentation. Experts highlighted the need for a clear distinction between public and private interests, continuity rather than short term campaigns in renovation programmes, genuine homeowner control over the renovation process, the removal of the intermediary role of municipalities to prevent conflicts of interest and the restoration of the architect’s role as the client’s trusted representative together with ensuring the rule of law in the sector. According to the Alliance, systemic defects in legislation, weak oversight, conflicts of interest and the lack of a distinction between public and private funding in construction continue to undermine both the quality of the living environment and construction practices in Bulgaria
presentations arch. Stoyan Todorov
presentations Ivan Markov
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Publications, Photos from the event:
Sample Text
The event will take place on 20.11.2025 from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm at Bau Academy on "Tsarigradsko Shosse" Blvd. 319 in Sofia. Entrance only with invitations. The goal of the forum is to initiate a debate with experts from the sector, representatives of institutions, industry and non-governmental organizations, and interested citizens on current topics, presented in the reports: 1. Factors in the process of environmental degradation in Bulgaria - Ivan Markov, member of the Management Board of the Alliance for High-Quality Baukultur2. Energy renovation programs - participants, rights and responsibilities - arch. dipl. eng. Stoyan Todorov, Chairman of the Management Board of the Alliance for High-Quality Baukultur3. The Elites - the monetary blindness of "private institutions" - arch. Stefan Tsonev, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of the Alliance for High-Quality BaukulturThe Alliance for High-Quality Baukultur believes that the round table will highlight the socially significant topics from the point of view of consumers in the construction sector and will outline the possibilities for improving the quality of the environment in Bulgaria.
link to the event via zoom
On June 10 and 11, the first project in Bulgaria aimed at training architects in dispute resolution in the construction sector through the use of expert assessments and mediation—drawing on German experience—was launched in Sofia and Varna. The project includes two modules of 40 academic hours each: technical expertise and mediation skills. Its goal is to enhance the qualification and expand the professional opportunities of architects in line with international standards. Participation is free of charge and entirely online. Those who were unable to register for the current course will have the opportunity to enroll in the second course, which will begin on November 4, 2025.
registration for second session
more information about the course
The "Alliance for High - Quality Baukultur" will participate in the third consecutive edition of the "Democratic Mosaic: Scene of Civil Society" festival! Let's meet on 26.09.25 from 14h to 18h or on 27.09.25 from 10h to 18h on Slaveikov Square in Sofia, where you can learn more about us and our activities. "AVSK" is the first consumer organization in the construction sector in Bulgaria. We work to improve the quality of the living environment by raising consumer culture among citizens. We will present our software platform for monitoring and controlling quality, called "HOW TO DO ENERGY RENOVATION PROPERLY" If your building is undergoing renovation, the architects of AVSK can help you with timely advice on how to protect your consumer right to quality renovation. At the "Democratic Mosaic: Scene of Civil Society" festival, we will exchange ideas, discuss politics, hear inspiring stories of people's success when they work together. We will think about who has an interest in weak democracy and why many do not want a united society. We will ask uncomfortable questions and seek sincere answers. We are expecting you!Download poster….Download brochure….
"Alliance for High - Quality Baukultur" (AVSK) consults associations of owners whose buildings will be renovated. For 10 of them, the consultation will be completely free of charge. The non-governmental organization for consumer protection in the construction sector will assist people in controlling the quality of renovation of their buildings. To this end, the association has developed the platform "HOW TO DO ENERGY RENOVATION PROPERLY". You can download the software and register here. Video lessons for working with the platform can be found here .
AVSK is committed to consulting free of charge 10 projects on a round table on the topic "Effects and shortcomings of building renovation in Bulgaria"It turns out that the renovation process in Bulgaria is going on paper in one way, and in practice - in another, according to the conclusion of AVSK, based on a 2-year experience in various cities with multiple projects. The problems are repetitive and that's why experts believe it would be reasonable to develop a single approach that organized the renovation process in specific steps. "Using this repeatability of mistakes, we can ask the right questions at the right time and identify the right problems, provide the right solutions. This is actually the goal of our software application, through which we can communicate with building owners without having to physically go to the location, and in this way, we can efficiently cover the whole of Bulgaria. This is the first such platform in Bulgaria, which is thematically focused on solving a sequence of problems. These are renovation problems that we have organized in 16 consecutive steps", explained arch. Stoyan Todorov - chairman of the Management Board of AVSK. AVSK assists associations of owners in the public interest. "The goal is not just to help a few hundred people with their renovation projects. The goal is for us to draw conclusions from all this and provide recommendations to the people who make decisions at the Ministry of Regional Development on how to make these programs better. Moreover, I personally have observations, I have several objects, built in Germany according to the German analogous programs, and I can also transfer international experience. In fact, there is huge potential for things to be improved", believes arch. Stoyan Todorov. The renovation program, which is currently underway in Bulgaria, has an additional condition - to achieve 30% energy savings. If this goal is not achieved, people whose homes have been renovated must return the money to the state, which it has invested in their renovation. This is an additional motivation for people to monitor the quality of construction work, explained arch. Stoyan Todorov. An interview with arch. Stoyan Todorov - chairman of the Management Board of AVSK for BNR-Vidin can be heard here. The first association that sought expert help from AVSK is JSK "Struna", Stara Zagora, Gen. Gurko Street №101. The chairman of the OS (Association of Owners) is Milen Mitrev. He says that the advice of AVSK experts has yielded results for many of the problems they encountered in the construction process. From the very beginning, they were aware that they would need assistance from a specialist, because there was no one in the OS who was familiar with renovation. "The software is absolutely understandable, very intuitive, and also well-described with video tutorial for each step that needs to be taken, and each step is also well-written on how to perform it. A very good library of information for us, and organizes the construction process with the photos we send. In this way, we can also turn to it when we want to remind ourselves of something", pointed out the chairman of the association of owners. Milen Mitrev believes that after the renovation, the quality of life of the people living in the building will improve, in addition to having a better aesthetic appearance, the electricity bills should also decrease. An interview with Milen Mitrev - chairman of the OS of JSK "Struna" - Stara Zagora for BNR-Vidin can be heard here. Over 200 people live in the block in Stara Zagora. Everyone agrees to apply for renovation, collects money and pays for a technical and energy passport relatively quickly. People want the entire renovation process to go according to the project, said Rumyana Georgieva - a member of the Management Board of the OS of JSK "Struna" - Stara Zagora. "And since we saw, with our inexperienced eye, that there were some discrepancies, we needed additional expert assessment, which would look, advise us, and say whether it was really so. And in the face of arch. Stoyan Todorov, we actually found exactly that. He responded almost instantly. At the first general meeting, which was between us and the construction company, it was clear that he had familiarized himself with our project and situation... The first thing he shared with us was that we need to install additional electricity and water meters that would record the electricity used by the contractor. The other prescriptions he gave us - he pointed out that for some reason the joinery of the stairway landings was not planned to have an opening wing - a window. Due to fire safety, this is mandatory, not just to clean the windows", stated Rumyana Georgieva. The prescriptions of AVSK are always accurate and correspond with the company so that the process is facilitated for all parties, said Rumyana Georgieva, and added that the people living in the block cooperate in every way and at every moment so that the renovation can happen as easily and smoothly as possible.An interview with Rumyana Georgieva - a member of the Management Board of the OS of JSK "Struna" - Stara Zagora for BNR-Vidin can be heard here.
Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of Alliance for High-Quality Baukultur, Arch. Stefan Tsonev gave an interview to the "Habitat for Humanity" Foundation (Habitat Bulgaria).
In the interview, Arch. Stefan Tsonev discusses current issues related to building energy renovation in Bulgaria and presents the innovative platform developed by AVSK for managing energy renovation projects: "HOW TO DO ENERGY RENOVATION CORRECTLY: Digital Construction File." You can watch the video here.
The Chairman of the Board of AVSK arch., dipl. eng. Stoyan Todorov gave an interview for the online media Archicast.
In the interview the German architect comments current problems of practicing the architectural profession in Bulgaria. You can watch the video here.
Open Lecture: "10 Questions – 10 Answers about the Architectural Profession"
On 22.04.2025. at Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" a lecture for architects and architecture students by arch., dipl. eng. Stoyan Todorov, Chairman of the Management Board of AVSK was held. The organizers thank the participants for their attention! Here you can see a recording of the lecture, as well as download the presentation and poster for it:
watch video
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We are pleased to inform you about the first-of-its-kind free online training for architects on dispute resolution in the construction sector through mediation and expertise. The TrAMEx project is funded by the EU under the Erasmus+ Programme. This training will offer you the opportunity to gain a new, distinctive, and modern competence by developing skills in the preparation and analysis of expert reports on issues in the field of architecture and construction, based on experience from Germany, as well as advanced skills in diplomatic dispute resolution.
register for the course (in Bulgarian)
The training is specifically designed for architects and includes two modules: 1. Technical Skills Module Focused on the preparation and analysis of expert reports in architecture and construction, based on professional experience from Germany and Bulgaria. Lecturers:Arch., Dipl. Eng. Stoyan Todorov (1 lecture) Arch., Dipl. Eng. Georg Wintgen (4 lectures) Dipl. Eng. Jan Buda (4 lectures) Arch. Petkana Bakalova (1 lecture) 2. Mediation Skills Module Dedicated to building skills for resolving disputes through mediation. Lecturers: Sevdalina Alexandrova – lawyer and certified mediator A team of architects and construction dispute resolution expertsThe program will be delivered in two sessions: June – October 2025 and November 2025 – February 2026. In April 2026, all participants will be invited to attend a Final International Conference, featuring thematic discussions and sharing of practical experience in dispute resolution in architecture and construction through expert analysis and mediation.
On September 12 and 13, 2024, the XIII International Scientific Conference "Design and Construction of Buildings and Structures" was held in Varna, where Alliance was a co-organizer. A professional jury from AVSK nominated a young scientist with a certificate and a monetary award. The Chairman of the Executive Board of AVSK, Arch. Dipl. Eng. Stoyan Todorov, presented the following two scientific papers: ...
Historical Transformations of the Professional Roles of Architects in Bulgaria and Bavaria from the Late 19th Century to TodayAbstract: The establishment and development of the architectural profession in independent Bulgaria were influenced by two historical factors. The objective need for modern territorial planning and a broad range of public and private buildings shaped the architects' role in developing the living environment. Bulgaria's integration into the European building culture created a need for architects to acquire knowledge and skills nurtured in various foreign architectural schools. From the late 19th century to the present, Bulgarian architects have undergone numerous transformations in their socially assigned roles. They became involved in distinguishing between urban planning and building design, as well as in differentiating the planning, design, management, and implementation of architectural projects. There was a period in the architectural guild's history when society placed a key role on architects in creating the built environment, entrusting them with responsibility for each building. There was also a period when most architects became draftsmen, losing the opportunity and ability to create buildings.Meanwhile, the history of the architectural guild in Bavaria unfolded with its specific processes. A comparison of the structuring factors in the construction fields of both countries reveals the extent to which Bulgarian architectural practice has diverged from the professional realization of architects in Bavaria. It also highlights the degree to which Bulgarian society has alienated architects from their true calling—to be leading figures in the holistic process of building creation.
download link for the report
presentation
Patterns in the Practice of the Regulated Profession of Architect in Bulgaria and Bavaria and Their Impact on the Quality of the Living Environment Abstract: In Bavaria, architects receive interdisciplinary training, which often qualifies them to serve as lead designers. Engineers and landscape architects, on the other hand, are trained as specialized experts. In Bulgaria, there is no lead designer in the construction process, and responsibilities are distributed among project designers in a collective manner. In Bavaria, the project is considered a unified whole, with the lead designer assuming responsibility. Based on their recommendations, the client may engage additional specialists when task complexity requires it. In Bulgaria, the project is divided into sections, each developed by numerous designers with specific credentials.Construction in Germany is organized into nine phases, outlined in the Federal Fee Ordinance for Architects and Engineers. These nine phases are also adopted in the Methodology of the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria, with both documents clearly defining professional activities. However, unlike their German counterparts, Bulgarian architects and engineers are often excluded or formalized in the phases following construction approval.The aim of contracts between the client and architect/engineer in Germany is to deliver defect-free buildings. Professionals are expected to undertake all necessary actions to fulfill the investment goals within the predefined budget, timeline, and quality. To achieve the project objectives, architects and engineers in Germany are given broad authority to manage the investment process on behalf of and in the interest of their client, qualifying them as trust-based professions. The professional tasks of architects and civil engineers in Germany are clearly delineated in their chamber's regulatory framework, whereas in Bulgaria, such tasks are not defined in any regulatory document.
download link for the report
Challenges Facing Architects and Engineers on the Path to a Harmonious Living Environment in the Focus of Experts from Several European CountriesThe non-profit organization "ALLIANCE FOR HIGH BUILDING CULTURE" (AVSK) organized an international conference on the theme "Professional Tasks of Architects and Engineers in Creating a Quality Living Environment," held on May 8 in the "Vasil Levski" hall of the Hyatt Regency Sofia Hotel. Established experts from Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, and Slovenia presented the challenges facing the regulated professions of ‘architect’ and ‘engineer’ in the construction sector on the path to a harmonious living environment.What are the professional challenges facing architects and engineers in Europe to ensure the quality of the environment? How do German architects enhance their professional skills? How have countries from the former socialist bloc managed to take leading positions, in terms of high building culture? These are some of the questions discussed at the conference by architects, engineers, and construction law lawyers. After a thorough analysis ...
After a thorough analysis of the problems that hinder the creation of a quality built environment in Bulgaria, which depend on the work of architects and engineers, three positions/statements were established and highlighted: - There cannot be quality buildings when architects and engineers are excluded from the building creation process as early as the construction permit phase. Even more detrimental is the case when through "engineering" they are subordinated to builders. In Europe, over 2/3 of the work of architects and engineers is concentrated after the construction permit is obtained, namely in the phases of project detailing, selection of the best builder, and continuous quality control of the implementation until completion. - It cannot be relied upon that in today's conditions of rapidly developing construction technologies and an increasing number of new materials, an interdisciplinary profession like architecture can be mastered qualitatively with only 5 years of university education, without it being constantly enhanced through broad-spectrum continuing education. -Ensuring the Quality of the Built Environment Requires Responsibility- The quality of the built environment cannot be guaranteed if the qualified participants in the process do not assume responsibility for it and if the pernicious practices of collective irresponsibility and redundant checks are not ended. When consumers suffer damages from poorly executed work, there is no effective legal mechanism for them to seek their rights and for professionals to be held accountable for their mistakes. Instead, they repeatedly bear the costs. -Challenges in Bulgaria's Legislation and Professional Standards- The quality of the environment is not the goal of the current legislation in Bulgaria. Often, the criteria for selecting contractors are the lowest price and the shortest deadline, while the institute of the "architectural competition" is used very rarely, noted architect Petkana Bakalova, a member of the Board of Directors of AHBC. Academic education is inadequate for the new conditions, with professional titles "architect" and "engineer" being awarded by universities without mandatory continuing education. This does not guarantee the necessary minimum of knowledge and experience for providing quality services. Construction legislation changes frequently, creating uncertainty in the process. The requirements are scattered across numerous and diverse regulatory texts. Often, the formulations are unclear and/or contradictory. All this leads to an inability for uniform interpretation and application of the norms, cautiousness of the administration, and excessive bureaucracy in the process of approving project documentation, outlined architect Petkana Bakalova as she highlighted the challenges in creating a quality living environment in Bulgaria. Contractual Responsibilities and Professional Development of Architects in Germany In Germany, the subject of contracts between clients and architects is the construction of a defect-free building. The architect is tasked with performing all necessary actions to realize the investment plan within the pre-determined budget and timeframe. To achieve the agreed project goals, German architects are granted extensive authority to manage the investment process on behalf of and in the interest of their clients. Comparative Analysis of Professional Roles in Bulgaria and Germany Despite architectural education in Bulgaria being recognized in the European Union through a Directive, Bulgarian architects are not perceived as generalists with broad knowledge in many areas but are placed on the same level as specialized professionals. This was highlighted in a comparative analysis of the professional tasks of architects and engineers in Bulgaria and Germany by Arch., Dipl. Eng. Stoyan Todorov, a graduate of TU Munich with extensive professional practice in Germany. Interdisciplinary Education and Continuous Professional Development In Germany, architects are educated in an interdisciplinary manner, which often leads to them being entrusted with the responsibility of being the chief designer. To practice as an architect, continuous professional development and further education are mandatory. Legal Certainty in the Investment Process Legal certainty is essential for all parties involved in the investment process. In Germany, an important foundation for this is the Fee Structure for Architects and Engineers (HOAI). This regulation details the tasks in various activities according to the nature of their work (e.g., buildings and interiors, technical equipment, structural planning, etc.). Each spectrum of activities is divided into phases of realization, ensuring transparent and fair remuneration based on a fixed framework. Both clients and contractors know what needs to be done and the corresponding fees, commented Dipl. Eng. Gabor Takacs, a construction engineer practicing in Hungary and Germany. Ensuring Quality-Based Competition He added: "The regulation ensures that competition is based on the quality of work, not just price. It is particularly recommended that building owners sign contracts for architectural and engineering services based on HOAI, as the services to be provided are detailed in the development phases of a construction project, avoiding conflicts regarding the scope of activities." Optimizing Design Processes To further optimize design processes, the Building Information Model (BIM) should serve as the foundation for all project participants. Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a Preferred Method "Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a preferred method of work for large projects in Germany, Switzerland, and the Scandinavian countries, where our company operates," stated Eng. Dieter Vetel, MBA. For large and complex projects, building services engineers work in what is known as the "cloud environment," in teams alongside architects and structural engineers. Without these installations, the building information model would be incomplete and meaningless. Professional Tasks of Building Services Engineers Eng. Dieter Vetel discussed the professional tasks of building services engineers. He explained that in Germany and most European countries, building services engineers have the opportunity to choose between two paths of professional development: becoming an "employee in an installation company" or becoming a "consultant engineer." The professional tasks of consulting engineers are legally regulated and primarily involve independent and impartial consulting and planning in the field of engineering. Professional Responsibilities of Consultant Engineers In Germany, alongside architects, the "consultant engineer" is a trusted profession. Among the professional tasks of engineers are consulting, assisting, and representing the client on all matters related to planning and construction management, supervision of execution, and realization of investment projects. Experience has shown that engaging a consultant engineer to organize a tender for contractors based on a detailed specification leads to a significantly better cost/quality ratio in favor of the client compared to outsourcing engineering to installation companies before the project is made. Legal Obligations and Responsibilities In Germany, architects or engineers are responsible for a well-built structure or damages that the client may suffer if it is not executed according to the concluded contract for design and services. Legislation requires architects and engineers to maintain "sufficient" liability insurance. In Bavaria, for example, the minimum insurance coverage for each separate insured event is 1.5 million euros for bodily injury and 200,000 euros for other damages, as noted by Julia Gerhardter, a lawyer specializing in construction and architectural law from Munich. The classification of the contract with an architect or engineer as a contract for design and services determines the basis of liability, while the understanding of the architect as the client's administrator significantly influences the extent of liability. According to the Civil Code of Germany, the contract for design obliges the architect or engineer to "produce the promised work." Compensation for design becomes due only after this success is achieved and the design is accepted by the client. Regulation and Professional Development in Slovenia The conditions for obtaining professional qualifications for architects and engineers in Slovenia include mandatory continuing professional education, professional supervision, an ethical code of conduct, and professional liability insurance, as defined by the Law on Architectural and Engineering Activities in Slovenia. "In practice, there are still many violations and disorderly conduct in the performance of professional activities. The legal system and sanctions are slow. Daily practice is burdened with low prices and excessive administration," said architect and diploma engineer Vladimir Krajcar, General Secretary of the Chamber of Architecture and Spatial Planning of Slovenia. The path of Slovenian architects towards high construction culture involves revising legislation to recognize the importance of the architectural profession, which has a significant impact on the quality of the built environment. Most construction competitions are organized by the Chamber, ensuring high quality of execution and continuous improvement of professional skills. A system of mandatory continuous professional education has been introduced, proving to be an extremely successful mechanism for improving the quality of services, and consequently, the living environment for citizens. Continuing Education Requirements for Architects in Germany Additional training of 112 hours and at least two years of practice in an architectural firm are the additional requirements for students who have completed architecture studies in Germany to obtain the professional title of "architect." Thirty-two of these 112 hours must be devoted to regulatory and legal topics. For this purpose, for example, the Chamber of Architects of North Rhine-Westphalia has established its own academy, which offers an extensive program of continuing education seminars and qualification enhancement. The intensity of the courses offered is on average one per working day. Similar is the intensity of course offerings in the academies of the other 15 provincial chambers. Every day, every architect has the opportunity to choose from dozens of continuing education courses on various topics nationwide and participate in them either in person or online. The model of continuing professional education for architects in Germany was presented by architect and diploma engineer Georg Wintgen, a member of the Chamber of Architects and the Executive Board of the Chamber of Architects of North Rhine-Westphalia. Challenges in Legislative Regulation in Bulgaria's Construction Sector Legislation in Bulgaria transposes European regulatory acts in a rather enigmatic manner, including regulations aimed at direct application in the legislative framework of each member state. The regulations are not directed at the object of planning but rather at the subject, in the form of a poorly regulated number of designers and other entities tasked with preparing various parts of project documentation or performing other activities inherent to architects and engineers. "The regulatory framework in Bulgaria aims to protect the personal interests of the subjects involved in the design and construction process without considering the excessive administrative burden on consumers of architectural and engineering services," said architect Stanimir Savov, a member of the Executive Board of the Chamber of Architects. The process of building creation, in the phases following construction permits, largely falls outside the authority of architects and engineers, being primarily left "in the hands" of construction supervision and the builder. They perform the legislatively stipulated 73% of the activities of architects and engineers, with the legislator conveniently granting them the opportunity to perform other activities typically carried out by the architect – the author of the implemented project, in Europe. Discussion Panel at the International Conference Questions were raised in the discussion panel of the international conference about the boundary between private and public interest in achieving a harmonious living environment, the opinions of consumers in addressing legislative issues to improve the living environment in populated areas, and how the professions of "engineer" and "architect" in Bulgaria can gain public trust and whether trust in them is important for the prosperity of the construction sector. The conference was attended by over 250 architects, engineers, representatives of local authorities, students, and members of industry and non-governmental organizations, both in person and online.
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