The transformative pediatric ward project “Firefly – a hospital that doesn’t look like a hospital,” located in Dobrich Hospital in northeastern Bulgaria, has been honored with the 2025 BIG SEE Architecture Award, one of the most prestigious recognitions in European architecture and design.
The award was presented to REDOX Architecture Studio and the For the Good Foundation, the teams behind the project. Designed by chief architect Magdalena Slavova of Redox Interior Design, the Firefly ward reimagines the hospital experience for children, families and medical staff alike.
The Firefly Project’s mission was simple yet profound: to replace fear with comfort, and sterile walls with warmth and empathy. The result is a pediatric space that feels more like a home than a hospital—filled with light, color and thoughtful design tailored to the needs of young patients. The 1,000-square-meter facility includes 22 patient beds and five intensive care beds and will serve 2,000 pediatric patients per year.
The Firefly ward features age-appropriate spaces for play, rest and adaptation. Parents are provided with comfortable accommodations to remain close to their children, while medical staff benefit from a stress-reducing, functional environment that supports their work with dignity and care.
The renovation includes colorful murals inspired by the city of Dobrich, antibacterial flooring, custom-made furniture, play areas and spaces for rest and reflection.
“Our goal was not just to design a functional and beautiful space, but to create an example in which children feel safe, loved and calm,” Slavova told Bulgarian media. “Architecture can also be part of the treatment precisely by creating a healing environment.”
The project was made possible through the collaboration of numerous partners and supporters, including Dobrich Municipality, the dedicated team at Dobrich Hospital, the America for Bulgaria Foundation and Esseterre Bulgaria, a Bulgarian-based company that specializes in the distillation of essential oils. Their early belief in the vision and generous financial support helped bring the Firefly ward to life on a grand scale. Dobrich is the third Firefly pediatric ward supported by the America for Bulgaria Foundation, after similar transformations in Lovech and Veliko Tarnovo.
BIG SEE is a creative and cultural movement based in Southeast Europe. It originated in Slovenia and has grown into a regional platform that celebrates and promotes creativity, innovation, and design across 21 countries. The BIG SEE Architecture Award celebrates innovation, creativity, and social impact in architecture across Southeast Europe. The recognition of the Firefly project underscores a growing movement toward human-centered healthcare design—especially in pediatric care.
“This recognition is not just a design distinction. This is a reward for the heart, for ethics, for empathy. Because we believe that the environment in the hospital should heal not only the body, but also the child’s heart,” For the Good Foundation posted on LinkedIn.
REDOX Architecture Studio, based in Varna, Bulgaria, is a contemporary design practice led by architect Konstantin Slavov. The studio is known for its thoughtful and emotionally resonant approach to architecture, blending modern aesthetics with a deep sensitivity to human experience and environmental context. REDOX emphasizes the creation of spaces that are not only functional but also uplifting and meaningful, often incorporating natural materials, light and local cultural elements. Their portfolio spans a diverse range of projects—from healthcare and hospitality to residential and educational facilities—each reflecting a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and social impact. Through its work, REDOX Architecture Studio continues to shape spaces that inspire and connect people with their surroundings.
As the Firefly initiative continues to inspire similar transformations across the country, this award marks not just a milestone, but a call to action: to reimagine healthcare spaces as places of healing in every sense of the word.
