site.btaFirst Bulgarian Geodesist to Set Foot on Antarctica Worked on Research Laboratory at Bulgaria’s Livingston Island Base

Borislav Aleksandrov, the first Bulgarian geodesist to set foot on Antarctica and Head of the Geodesy and Geoinformatics Department at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), contributed to the construction of the scientific laboratory building at Bulgaria’s St. Kliment Ohridski Antarctic Base on Livingston Island, the university said on its website.

The laboratory won the Building of the Year 2025 award in the "Social Infrastructure - Science" category at the national Building of the Year competition, organized by Gradat Media Group under the patronage of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works. The competition has been held annually since 2002.

The distinction confirms Bulgaria’s position among countries with modern and sustainable scientific infrastructure in Antarctica, UACEG said.

Aleksandrov, who has participated in six Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions, was responsible for the geodetic component of the project. Geodetic work played a key role in the precise positioning and construction of the building under extremely challenging terrain, strong winds and the harsh Antarctic climate. The project’s architect is Penka Stancheva.

The laboratory stands out for its modular, functional and sustainable design, engineered to withstand winds of up to 175 km/h, difficult logistics and minimal environmental impact. Its potential for phased expansion and integration with Bulgaria’s research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii places the country at a new level in international Antarctic research, the university said.

The new laboratory building was officially inaugurated on February 14, 2025, during Bulgaria’s 33rd Antarctic Expedition. Construction began in 2021, and the facility includes three specialized laboratories aimed at expanding the scope of scientific research conducted on the continent.

Bulgaria’s St. Kliment Ohridski Antarctic Base opened for its 34th polar season in mid-November. Two groups of Bulgarian researchers departed from Sofia, while the research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) set sail from the port of Varna on November 7 on its fourth Antarctic expedition.