Radina Gesheva is among the leading Bulgarian architects. She is a founder of one of the first private architectural studio in the country. She has won a myriad of awards throughout her long carrier. Her projects go beyond Bulgarian borders – interiors in Vienna and San Francisco. Gesheva has designed family houses, interiors of private homes as well as offices of many businessmen and politicians. Her studio paved the way for some of the best young and already established architects with own practices. Radina Gesheva is respected and loved as a person and a professional by her students, colleagues and clients.

MD How do you define your job - a vocation, a profession, an art or an inspiration?
Arch. R.G. All of the above! It is a vocation, a profession and an inspiration in one. Indeed, my daughter and my job are the most important things in my life. Oh, and my friends too…

MD We often see interiors, especially residential ones, in which designers are drawing on the artistic expression at the expense of functionality. Where is the ‘golden mean’ for a good design?
Arch. R.G. I do not like the term ‘golden mean’… To me the most important thing in interiors is the functionality. I believe that the good successful design is a well-furnished functionality. At least that is the case with most of the emblematic works in world design. There are, of course, exceptions but then those works are closer to art than to design, and they are perceived and used as exquisite sculptural elements and accents. Besides, they again have functions – to reflect the light, to correspond to the environment… 

MD Could you describe what the process of creating an interior is? What is the connection client-architect?
Arch. R.G. The process – well, it is always one and the same, meeting, familiarizing, designing, explaining, discussing… And it is always different – different places, people, and in the meantime we are constantly changing as well. However, the connection between the client and the architect is very important! There should be respect and trust!  

MD How would you describe your style?
Arch. R.G. It is not easy for me to define the term style. Perhaps it is determined by the fact that I value every single component of an interior, and do not forget about the details. And maybe it is my individual approach – a specific project for a particular place and a particular person – a harmonious, functional and fine product, in which the client would feel well! Although I like to be provocative, I think it is preposterous to go on vacation with an evening dress, be it the most gorgeous evening dress! 

MD Do you give preference to certain names in design, trends and projects?
Arch. R.G. I do, but I will keep them to myself…

MD What is the biggest challenge in your work?
Arch. R.G. The synergy between architecture – interior – art.

MD Would you rather work outside Bulgaria? What is it that is missing here for the quick and adequate development of interior and product design?
Arch. R.G. I would and I did work outside Bulgaria. But I would not live abroad. Not at my age. Here are all of my friends indeed! As for what is missing…it is a long story…

MD Which are the principles you never break in your work?
Arch. R.G. Never is a strong word. Never say never! But here is one: Everything is important!

MD What are the most usual problems in your work?
Arch. R.G. The greatest problem is to underestimate a smaller problem.

MD Architecture or interior design?
Arch. R.G. Architecture and interior design.

MD Which project is dearest to you? What do you pride most of?
Arch. R.G. All my projects are dear to me. There is a part of me in each of them. Yet I am most proud of my daughter.

MD Do emotions have place in creating an interior?
Arch. R.G. I am one of those people who are passionate in their work and I think that will never change.

MD Where is Bulgarian architecture heading to? How has it changed in the last couple of years?
Arch. R.G. I do not feel the right person to make analyses or predictions but in my opinion there have been a lot of good projects recently. My grandmother used to say “You have to go wrong in order to become right”… It is high time it went right!

MD What do you try to teach your younger colleagues?
Arch. R.G. That not every simple thing is nice, but nice thing are always simple.