Milena Metalkova-Markova is the lead and her team consists of international colleagues and former students. She is an associate professor of Architecture and Conservation at the University of Portsmouth School of Architecture, Art and Design. She is involved in vernacular architecture conservation and experimental preservation projects in Japan, the Balkans and the UK.
Milena is blessed to work with a group of enthusiastic colleagues from various countries, passionate about building and architectural traditions and the sense of places and their stories.
I am a London based socially engaged Illustrator-as-Historian, Lecturer in Visual Culture, and PhD Researcher in Visualising History. Working with oral histories, folklore, archives, and artefacts, I use a mixture of artistic approaches, text and images, creative writing, mapmaking, comics and character development - with a touch of humour and emotion - to bring untold, hidden, forgotten, and marginalised narratives to life.
ANTONELA KARAPANDZHEVA
I am an architect specializing in the preservation of immovable cultural heritage, actively involved in volunteer projects that survey and safeguard historical sites. Currently, as a Chief Specialist at the Bulgarian Institute of Immovable Cultural Heritage, I conduct research, list and promote cultural assets, additionally developing the Bulgarian cultural heritage GIS Atlas.
Born and raised in northwest Bulgaria, I have a strong connection to the region’s history and culture. I had the privilege of contributing as a local researcher and guide during the expedition to Chuprene and Stakevtsi, working closely with the locals and my grandmother, who holds many memories of the past.
ANA STANOJEVIĆ
I am a highly enthusiastic PhD Researcher and Teaching Assistant in Architecture.
After completing my Master's degree at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture University in Niš, Serbia, I enrolled in PhD studies to combine my love for science and architecture. Since 2015, I have been a teaching associate at the Department for Public Buildings Design, where I can share experience and knowledge with young people. In the scientific field, I am passionate about researching the revitalization and adaptive reuse of industrial, military, and vernacular architecture. I am finishing my PhD dissertation, "Vizion, context, and Perception - the Architecture of Contemporary Wineries between Conceptualization and Realization."
Our Serbian Collaborator- architect Gordana Rancev
ALEXANDER MLADENOV
Alexander is an architect, specialising in the field of heritage preservation. He is currently employed in Bulgaria's National Institute of Immovable Cultural Heritage, where his job consists of research, conducting building surveys and value assesment. He has recently graduated from the specialized preservation course, organized as a join innitiative between the institute and the renowned french school Ecole de Chaillot.
He is actively involved in volunteering projects that deal with heritage preservation and management.
Sam is an Architectural Designer and Conservation professional based in Portsmouth, specialising in unique and challenging heritage projects with a focus on spatial planning and reuse strategies. His work demonstrates a versatility in addressing a design brief through a comprehensive knowledge of established conservation principles and an ability to comfortably work within a broad spectrum of building typologies, periods and conditions.
His ongoing PhD at the University of Portsmouth seeks to engage communities with contested or difficult heritage of the 20th century through the context of utilitarian architecture, critical heritage theories and liminality.
MUSAB AK
Since 2010, I have been working in the field of restoration projects and applications. In our country, which has hosted many civilizations, there are countless historical buildings. In order to protect these historical buildings in the best way, I try to do my best to develop my profession with love and interest.
BORIS RANCEV
Boris Rančev, is an architect, enthusiast in architectural heritage preservation, sustainable development, and bioclimatic architecture. He earned his Master's degree in Architecture from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture University in Niš, Serbia, in 2023 and is currently pursuing a PhD studies at the same institution. Since 2021, he has served as a teaching associate at the Department of Housing and the Department of Structures and Structural Systems. In 2021, Boris founded the architectural design studio "SKIZZ Architects" in Dimitrovgrad. He is also a co-founder of the NGO "BalkanARHitrav". His work demonstrates a commitment to fostering sustainable architectural practices and promoting the revitalization of traditional architectural heritage.
Our Bulgarian collaborator architect Georgi Georgiev
Our collaborator from the University of Nis,
Dr. Miomir Vasov
We are happy to accept any volunteers who are interested in the region' s architecture, folk mythology and building rituals.
