our project

Objectives

Our project is to restore Rahovitza in order to permit extended year-around use of the buildings with some basic comfort. The goal is to demonstrate the contemporary use of natural building materials (wood, stone, earth) for the building and renovation of beautiful and healthy living spaces. We want to employ only local materials and work in accordance with traditional building techniques in order to promote local traditions and crafts.

Self-sufficiency and an off-the-grid philosophy are key concerns in this rehabilitation project. We therefore intend to use solar energy and reduce our impact on the environment by relying on composting toilets and minimizing waste production. We also plan to experiment with local food production and animal husbandry.

In the long term, Rahovitza could become a center for architectural experimentation, workshops and seminars for architects, craftsmen and artists.

Project's history

This project began in 2000, when we bought this abandoned farm. At the time there was no running water, no electricity and no road access. In the summer of 2000 we dug a 300m water pipeline connecting Rahovitza to a mountain spring that also supplies the village with water. In the period from 2001-2004 we only spent a few weeks per year cleaning out the barns, removing weeds, building a few small stone walls and realizing some inside plasters.

In the spring and summer of 2004 we spent six months in Rahovitza to give our project a big boost. It was our first summer workshop with the participation of about 30 volunteers from six European countries. To teach us about dry stone masonry we also hired two local experienced craftsmen. Above all we had a great time testing traditional and ecological building techniques, having interesting discussions and making new friendships in a beautiful natural setting.

In August 2005 we had our second summer workshop. Fifteen enthusiastic young people came from France, Germany, Netherlands, UK and Bulgaria to help and discover natural building techniques. We even had a returnee from 2004. One month of woodwork, earth plasters, stone masonry, evening bonfires, outdoor cooking and showers, weekend hikes, village festivals. It's always too short.

In August 2006 we organized the third edition of the Rahovitza summer workshops. During the three weeks we welcomed more than 20 participants from France, Germany, Bosnia, USA and Bulgaria.

Workshop Rahovitza fourth edition took place during three weeks in July 2007. With a small team of one Dutchman, one Frenchman and one Bulgarian we managed to make enormous progress. Window installed, 12V electrical installation, transportation of stone plates for the flooring, plastering of bathroom and eastern wall, etc. With record temperature, for the first time this year, we took a bath in the main river - it was wonderful.

Names of buildings

In order to facilitate the description of the project we have decided to name the different buildings. Being in ancient Thracian territory our choice was to use the names of Thracian gods: The westernmost barn that shall become an open summer pavillon for gatherings and dance will be called Sabazii, the god of wine. The current prinicipal building is baptized Bendida, godess of hunting. Finally, the easternmost building with its more generous inner volumetry is Kibela, the godess mother of fertility.