Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form. There are no restrictions.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Jana Pencheva-Vulchanova Architectural Collection, Ms2000-002, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Jana Pencheva-Vulchanova Architectural Collection were donated to Special Collections in 1999.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Jana Pencheva-Vulchanova Architectural Collection commenced and was completed in August 2001.

Biographical Note

Jana (Zhana) Pencheva-Vulchanova was born 19 June 1947 in the town Sliven, Hungary, where she graduated from high school (1965) with honors. From 1964-1970 she studied architecture at Sofia Polytechnic. She began working (1971-1973) in Putproekt, the design organization of Sofia's administration of roads. During this time she designed several facilities, a motel in Ledenika, at the edge of Sofia, which has not been built, a technical school for construction workers in the town Mikhailovgrad, a vacation hotel that she designed in team with architect Tikholov, and housing for construction workers, also never built. In 1973 she transferred to Sofproekt, working first in the department for Sofia's master plan, and becoming the head of a studio in the department for Highways, in 1975.

Beginning in 1978 Vulchanova became involved in the planning and design of the neighborhood surrounding the National Palace of Culture. She designed shops on the bordering streets, including a cafeteria, winecellar and two bars, pedestrian passageways with commercial facilities and underground transportation facilities. In 1980, she became the head designer for the underground commercial center (7,500 sq. meters or 75,000-sq. ft. area) south of the Palace of Culture. This was built under the crossing of two major boulevards, "Bulgaria" and "Fritjof Nansen". Construction proceeded very slowly due to the heavy traffic circulation at the crossroads above. Some of the stores opened only in the 1990's.

Meanwhile Vulchanova designed several pedestrian passageways under major urban arteries, many of them with commercial facilities such as coffee shops, flower shops, liquor stores, etc.

In 1984, she became head designer for another underground shopping center at the beginning of a new tramway connecting the city center with several large housing neighborhoods at the periphery ("Mladost", "Durvenitsa", and "Iztok"). This terminal was located underground close to the beginning of the large park in Sofia. The design included commercial spaces and entertainment covering 12,000 sq. meters (120,000 sq. ft). In 1985 when all the interior details were ready and construction began, the project was stopped for lack of funds.

Jana (Zhana) Pencheva-Vulchanova's projects have been publicized in architectural periodicals and in the press. She has received the award of the Union of Architects in Bulgaria for her creative achievements in architecture and the golden Order of Labor for her contributions to urban design.

Scope and Contents

The Jana (Zhana) Pencheva-Vulchanova Architectural Collection consists of 24 architectural drawings, 11 photocopies of drawings, photographs and newspaper clippings.

This collection documents her activity in designing several underground commercial centers and pedestrian passageways located at tramway terminals and boulevard crossings in Sofia, Bulgaria and its surrounding neighorhoods from 1980-1993.

One of the most documented projects she has been involved with is for an underground commercial center and pedestrian passageway located south of the Palace of Culture, under the crossing of Boulevard Bulgaria and Nansen, Sofia. This project is represented by 10 prints (1987-1993), including floor plans and sections, details of the interior design and design specification.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by subject.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA)
• Women -- History

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Jana Pencheva-Vulchanova Architectural Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).