The project envisages the reconstruction and renovation of the Rusalka holiday village, created in 1968 by architect Marin Marinov and his team and based on the French Club Méditerranée model. The complex is located in the heart of the Tauk Liman nature reserve (also known as Bird’s Bay), in a picturesque oak forest that slopes gently down to a rocky seashore. Groups of one- and two-story villas are freely arranged among the trees, so that each of them retains a direct visual and spatial connection with the landscape. The level change in the terrain and the low, scattered buildings provide direct views of the sea horizon. It is this precisely balanced presence of buildings, forest, and sea—architecture in direct dialogue with the natural environment—that forms the basis of the renovation concept.
The guiding principle of the project is to preserve the spirit of the original village while ensuring a contemporary, functional, and sustainable transformation. Inspiration comes from the characteristic lightness and whiteness of the existing villas, their minimalist geometry, and clarity of form. The idea of an "open and closed house" shapes the approach: flat roofs are transformed into accessible terraces with clearly organized areas for various outdoor activities. Thus, the roof becomes a natural extension of the interior and an additional level of interaction between the inhabitants and the surrounding nature.
The renovation follows a strategy of architectural cleansing and refinement. Secondary elements that had accumulated over time were removed to highlight the original spatial composition. The white facades have been preserved and emphasized through a carefully selected palette of local materials—stone, clay, and natural textures—that fit into the context of the oak forest and rocky shore. The spatial organization has been modernized with larger openings framing the sea views and smooth transitions between interior and exterior spaces. The new roof terraces add both a functional and emotional layer to the architecture, increasing the adaptability of the villas without compromising their original lightness.
The project seeks and achieves a delicate balance between restoration and transformation. The intervention is distinctive enough to restore the vitality of the complex and meet contemporary requirements for comfort and experience, but also restrained enough to preserve the authenticity of the village and its strong connection to its context. The result is harmony between past and present, between architecture and nature, between the intimate space of the villa and the endless sea horizon.

Client: “Rusalka Black Sea Project” Ltd.
Program: Holiday village
Location: Kavarna, Bulgaria
Design year: 2025