The global world blurs the distinctiveness of cultures and makes architecture more anonymous. François Valentiny counters this by tailoring his designs to emphasize the bold characteristics of each planning location. He will present a selection of projects from Europe, China, and Brazil, reflecting on how each one responds to the location’s distinctive atmosphere or the ‘spirit of the place.

The SHARE Bulgaria 2023 Forum will take place on 28th of September at the Sofia Balkan Palace and is organized by SHARE Architects, the largest network dedicated to architecture and construction professionals in Central and South Eastern Europe, and The Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria (CAB). “Facades: Design and technology,” “Large-scale development projects” and “Good living Architecture” are the main themes that will be explored during the program of the International Architecture and Technology Innovation Forum.

SHARE Bulgaria 2023 will provide attendees with access to knowledge and new opportunities for collaboration. National and international renowned speakers, innovators in architecture and building technologies will provide the audience with insightful technical details of large-scale projects as well as inspirational visions.

MEET THE GUEST | François Valentiny

François Valentiny completed his architectural studies in 1980, earning the title of Magister architecturae from the University of Applied Arts Vienna. Teaming up with Hubert Hermann, he founded the architectural firm Hermann & Valentiny in both Luxemburg and Vienna. Since 2009, Valentiny served as a professor for “Community Planning and Green Architectural Design” at the DeTao Masters Academy and the Shanghai Institute of Visual Art in China.

Starting from 2014, Valentiny has been associated with Studio Valentiny hvp architects & partners in Shanghai, China, establishing the Valentiny Foundation in Luxembourg.

Awards and recognitions

• 2016 Awarded the European Cross by the Fondacion Fomento Europeo Spain
• 2016 Awarded the “100 Architects of the year 2016” prize by the Korean Institute of Architect
• 2017 Honorary member of the OBEC Architektu Society of Czech Architects Prague
• 2018 Honorary Award of Merit of the City of Salzburg
• 2021 Honorary distinction Knight of the Grand Ducal Order
• 2023 Award of the European Merit Gold Medal by the European Merit Foundation

WORK |  Luxembourg Learning Centre

“Luxembourg Learning Centre” by Valentiny hvp architects. © Guy Jallay

One of the major objectives of the university library project was to create, in a rigid volume predefined by the industrial framework elements, an open and welcoming space in the spirit of a Learning Centre. Large open space volumes, accessible to the public, more than 100 meters long, are thus presented on five levels, giving the impression of flying plateaus around the ore silo, at the foot of blast furnace B. This silo, kept in good condition, is a reminder of Belval’s industrial past, but also of the country’s know-how and innovation capacities, which were originally based on the “Möllerei”. The old structures have been cleaned, reinforced and repainted, thus preserving all traces of the building’s past activity.

“Luxembourg Learning Centre” by Valentiny hvp architects. © Guy Jallay

The construction of the building envelope and its complex geometry was made possible by the use of a highly innovative construction technique from shipbuilding. The envelope consists of molded composite profiles with several layers of glass fiber that allow not only the production of special shapes but also the production of an envelope with high mechanical resistance, high thermal insulation and airtightness performance and virtually maintenance-free.

Mozarteum Brasileiro Theatre

Mozarteum Brasileiro Theatre, a shell-like concrete structure with triangular slices is an auditorium designed by Luxembourg studio Valentiny HVP Architects for an annual music festival in the Brazilian town of Trancoso. The Teatro Mozarteum Brasileiro provides a performance venue for the Música em Trancoso, a week-long music festival that takes place every March in the popular beach town on Brazil’s Bahia coast.

“Mozarteum Brasileiro Theatre” by Valentiny hvp Architects. © Jean de Matteis

SHARE Bulgaria 2023 has as guests internationally recognized personalities in the field of architecture:

• Francois Valentiny, Founder VALENTINY hvp architects, Luxembourg
• Els Verbakel, Co-Founder Derman Verbakel Architecture
• Melike Altinisik, Founder Melike Altinisik Architecture, Turkey
• Matt Wilkinson, Associate Director Amanda Levete Architects, UK
• Stefano Capranico, Associate UNStudio, The Netherlands
• David Nikuradze, Founder Spectrum, Georgia
• Constantinos Constanti, Founder Constanti Architects, Cyprus
• Angel Zahariev, Co-Founder A&A Architects, Bulgaria
• Mariana Turcu, Director X-Architecture & Engineering, Romania
• Tihomir Kazakov, Managing Partner SGI Architects & Masterplanners, Bulgaria
• Atanas Nikolov, Co-Founder WE:R Architecture & Design Studio, Bulgaria
• Bilyana Asenova, Co-Founder UNAS Studio, Bulgaria

The event is organized by SHARE Architects in partnership with the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria.

SHARE Architects in Bulgaria

The SHARE Forum in Bulgaria has established itself as the premier event dedicated to architecture and innovative technologies in the country. Its international reach has attracted participants from all corners of Bulgaria, as well as esteemed guests from leading architectural firms across Europe and beyond. The forum serves as a platform for showcasing the latest national and international award-winning architecture and large-scale development projects, along with cutting-edge building technologies.

SHARE Architects Network – Connecting architects and contractors in Central and South Eastern Europe

Over the past 25 years, SHARE Architects forums have become a key networking platform for architects and constructors in Central and South Eastern Europe. SHARE provides a useful framework for knowledge and understanding of the diversity of modern architectural phenomena. Currently, SHARE Architects events are held in 16 countries and have developed a community of over 50,000 professionals around them.