Ivan Bonev is an architect and architectural researcher currently based in Sofia (Bulgaria). He has acquired his architectural training in the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy in Sofia (2007-2014), KU Leuven – Sint Lucas School of Architecture in Brussels (2012-2013), and Tokyo Institute of Technology (TIT) in Tokyo (2017-2019). He is a member of Transformatori Association which is engaged with urban research and community building projects. He has worked in Europe and Southeast Asia in collaboration with Atelier Bow-Wow (JP) and Zoom Studio (BG) amongst others. He is the author of “Networks of De-institutional Architecture: Tokyo” and has contributed to publications of TIT, MIT, academic journals and independent issues.
His most recent work investigates a typology of independent common spaces defined as “de-institutional architecture”. Currently, an exhibition of Tokyo’s de-institutional architecture travels around Bulgaria on annual basis and explores local independent spaces in each city it visits.