OPEN CALL:Christo & Jeanne-Claude Center seeks proposals for adaptive reuse of former textile technical school building

To find the best architectural solution for the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Center for Contemporary Art, the Municipality of Gabrovo is inviting architects to participate in a two-stage competition for adaptive reuse of a former textile technical school building.

Though fleeting, Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s projects left iconic afterimages in dozens of natural and urban landscapes, creating, as they themselves put it, “gentle disturbances.” Their art was a celebration of freedom, beauty, and courage. Christo and Jeanne-Claude not only dreamed of things considered impossible, but they also made them a reality. Simultaneously monumental and intimate, their projects were infinitely different from other art created up to that point.

The center named after them, in Christo’s hometown, is a place for both presenting and creating art—a place where the spirit of Christo and Jeanne-Claude inspires both artists and the wider public. The architecture of this space requires a bold vision, sensitivity, and deep understanding.

To find the best architectural solution for the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Center for Contemporary Art, the Municipality of Gabrovo is inviting architects to participate in a two-stage competition for adaptive reuse of a former textile technical school building.

The first phase is an open, anonymous competition to develop a conceptual design. The top five finalists will each receive a cash prize of EUR 20,000, excluding VAT. The application deadline is July 20, 2026.

The second phase requires design development and will be conducted through a negotiated procedure with the five finalists from the preceding phase. The winner will enter into a design contract worth up to EUR 1,000,000, excluding VAT.

The building of the former Textile Technical School in Gabrovo is located on the banks of the Yantra River. It was chosen both because of its spacious workshops, and because of the connection between the main subject of the school—textiles—and the art of Christo and Jeanne-Claude. The built-up area is 2737 m^2, the total gross floor area is 13,300 m^2 and the courtyard is 9000 m^2.

The competition’s jury members and Vladimir Yavachev, Director of Projects of the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation give a better perspective to the scope of the Center and the design task:

“Christo and Jeanne-Claude were constantly giving lectures to young artists and students. In Abu Dhabi, where I hope the Mastaba will be one day, they established—in collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi and ADMAF—a public art award for young artists in their name. They often said that the work of an artist requires much hard work and total dedication. The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Center in Gabrovo is a place where art will be created, where young artists will work, live, and debate. That is the recipe for it to evolve naturally into a living organism. I am convinced that this will happen, and it is wonderful that it will bear the names of Christo and Jeanne-Claude.” —Vladimir Yavachev, Christo’s nephew and Director of Projects of the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation

“Making a Center named after Christo and Jeanne-Claude seems like an oxymoron, since their work seems to defy the very notion of a center. It was always eccentric, consisting of projects created all over the world and always for a limited time-span. But it is precisely because of the fleeting nature of their work that such a center is so necessary today, in order to make sure that its ingenious spirit can continue to impregnate the minds of artists, architects, and the general public. The participating architecture firms will be facing a similar artistic challenge as the celebrated artists did in their many projects: to transform a specific extant condition into something universal, remarkable, surprising, and memorable. I am looking forward to seeing the creative spark of Christo and Jeanne-Claude fire up the imagination of contemporary architects once again and create a vital place of cultural memory and creativity.” —Andreas Ruby, jury member

“Having met Christo and Jeanne-Claude on numerous occasions since 2000, I came to recognize their deep appreciation for their community of friends, collaborators, and artists. The teams they worked with embodied their extended family. A substantial part of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s work lay in the process of materializing their art installations with all the approvals, engineering, trials, logistics, etc. These efforts were made possible only through a tightly knit and deeply committed team. Fostering and supporting communities of artists and creative people was an essential and valued aspect of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s work. To honor this legacy through a contemporary art center in Gabrovo will be a particularly meaningful and fitting tribute.” —Erich Schoenenberger, jury member

The competition is now open. More details here.