Thracian Treasures
Regional Historical Museum in Vratsa, Bulgaria
Scott Briggs, AIA, Associate Principal, was invited by the America for Bulgaria Foundation (ABF) to participate as a juror in a design competition to create a new visitor experience for the Thracian Treasures Gallery at the Regional Historical Museum in Vratsa, Bulgaria.
ABF conducted the competition over the summer in partnership with the Museum and the Vratsa Municipality. Among the objects to be displayed in the gallery are numerous impressive examples of metalwork, jewelry, and other precious artifacts of various eras, including finds from the Mogilan Mound, a 4th century BC Thracian tomb discovered near the Museum in the 1960s.
From the exhibition "Thracian Treasures", Regional Historical Museum in Vratsa; photos: Antoni Georgiev (Vagabond Media)
A shortlisted group of proposals from 17 Bulgarian teams of architects, curators, scholars, media designers, and marketing professionals were reviewed by the international jury during interviews with competition respondents in September. The winners were announced on September 29th, 2021 at an exhibition of the finalists on display at the Museum.
1st place: Architectural Studio Atelier 3 - with a prize of 25,000 BGN (ABF will also donate the funds needed for the implementation of the project ranked first)
2nd place: Animager + HORA - with a prize of 15,000 BGN
3rd place: Sense Design - with a prize of 10,000 BGN
First prize winners, Atelier 3, together with the Deputy Mayor of Vratsa, Mr. Alexander Vladimirov, who presented the award at the Regional Historical Museum in Vratsa
ABF intends the project to transform the Treasures Hall into a modern and interactive exhibition space, contribute to a broader understanding of Thracian culture, and provide a model for upgrading other Bulgarian heritage sites.
Scott has previously worked with the American for Bulgaria Foundation as project manager and design team lead on Muzeiko - the America for Bulgaria Children’s Museum in Sofia, and the recently completed Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis in Plovdiv.