For the team at IPA – Architecture and more, it was an honour to earn the trust of Kaufland Bulgaria for the development of yet another project - the construction and design of a new store in Veliko Tarnovo.
In line with the German brand’s policy, the design prioritises easy orientation and comfort for customers, as well as a safe and efficient working environment for employees - principles applicable to all of the company’s facilities. While meeting these requirements, the project also carries the studio’s distinctive signature: a unique contemporary architectural expression achieved by breaking up the large building volume through the introduction of a second floor. Covering part of the ground level and slightly cantilevered above the entrance, this upper floor forms a characteristic canopy. This unconventional approach accommodates the administrative functions and gives the building a recognisable outline unlike any other location in the chain. It also enhances the visibility and recognisability of the store from a customer perspective.
Another innovation introduced in this project is the fully glazed entrance facade - applied for the first time in a Kaufland store. The glazing introduces abundant natural light into the reception area and creates an airy sense of modernity and openness. This feeling continues inside: circulation areas are wider than in typical stores from the company’s network, and product shelving is lower, ensuring smooth customer flow, improved visibility, and easy access to goods. A dedicated lighting-based navigation system guides visitors through the various product sections and clearly indicates the routes to the checkout area.
The building integrates retail, administrative, storage, and technical zones, along with leaseable units. All areas employ durable, easy-to-maintain materials that contribute to a clean, public-building aesthetic.
The structural stability is achieved through prefabricated reinforced concrete elements, while the second-floor roof is formed using a steel beam system. The clean white panel facade includes allocated zones for the Kaufland logo and the signage of leasehold tenants. The building is equipped with an innovative climate-control system that recovers residual heat from the refrigeration units to warm the interior in winter and cool it in summer. The applied energy-efficient and environmentally conscious technologies aim not only to ensure year-round comfort at minimal operational cost but also to significantly reduce the building’s overall carbon footprint.
The outdoor space includes a spacious, accessible parking area with a free charging station for electric vehicles. A pedestrian zone at the entrance is aesthetically defined by greenery-filled planters. The project also features a children’s playground enclosed by a cheerful, colourful fence, as well as a dedicated tactile path providing safe access to visitors with visual impairments.
The Kaufland store in Bulgaria’s historic capital, designed by IPA – Architecture and more, fits seamlessly into the company’s family of locations while maintaining its own distinctive character - vibrant, modern, and innovative.
