International Architectural Competition Christo and Jeanne-Claude Centre for Contemporary Art
To find the best architectural solution, the Municipality of Gabrovo is inviting architects to participate in a two-stage competition.
| Category | Project Competition |
| Type | International, Project, Architects, Two-Stage, Anonymous |
| Genre | Museum, Renovation |
| Country | Gabrovo, Bulgaria |
| RegDeadline | 20 July 2026 GoogleCal iCal |
| 20 July 2026 (via Online) | |
| Eligibility | All Bulgarian or foreign natural and/or legal persons or their associations, as well as any other entity authorized to perform architectural design in accordance with the legislation of the country in which it is established |
Description
Though fleeting, Christo and Jeanne-Claude's projects left iconic afterimages in dozens of natural and urban landscapes, creating, as they themselves put it, "gentle disturbances."
Their art was a celebration of freedom, beauty, and courage. Christo and Jeanne-Claude not only dreamed of things considered impossible, but they also made them a reality. They negotiated with parliaments, municipalities, and private landowners. They enlisted architects, engineers, environmentalists, filmmakers, photographers, collectors, and hundreds of volunteers as their collaborators. Their projects cost millions, yet remained free and accessible to millions of visitors. Simultaneously monumental and intimate, they were infinitely different from other art created up to that point.
The centre named after them, in Christo's hometown, is a place not only for presenting art but also for creating it - a place where the spirit of Christo and Jeanne-Claude inspires both artists and the wider public. The architecture of this space requires a bold vision, sensitivity, and deep understanding.
The value of the construction and installation works, furnishings, and equipment is up to EUR 11,261,103, excluding VAT.
Jury
Andreas Ruby, architecture theorist, teacher, book publisher and exhibition curator
Aneta Vasileva, architect, architecture critic, and historian
Bostjan Vuga, architect, researcher, educator, and editor
Erich Schoenenberger, architect and educator
Lutsia Dekova, architect
Martin Hristov, architect
Vasif Kortun, curator, writer and teacher
Hristo Stankushev, architect and educator (alternate juror)
Prize
The winner will enter into a design contract worth up to EUR 1,000,000, excluding VAT - for the preparation of an investment project (construction documents, including interior design and design of the permanent exhibitions) and author's supervision.
The first phase:
The top five finalists will each receive a cash prize of EUR 20,000, excluding VAT.
Entry Fee
None
Timetable
August 23, 2026: Announcement of the second stage: a negotiation procedure without prior notice; invitations to take part are the five awarded projects in the previous stage
October 23, 2026: Deadline for submitting offers (containing design development) in the negotiation procedure
November 10, 2026: Announcement of the winner of the design contract
March 25, 2027: Submission of the detailed investment project (construction documents)
October 2028: Final deadline for completing renovation, construction, furnishing, equipping, and implementation of the permanent exhibition projects
Organizer
Gabrovo Municipality in partnership with the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Center for Contemporary Art