We keep hearing about “green” buildings and “green” construction, but what exactly does this mean? (Hint: It doesn’t involve painting anything green.) What is the connection between building and the environment, and why should we care about a building’s carbon footprint?
According to the US-based Center for Clean Air Policy, buildings use 40% of the world’s energy and nearly half of its raw materials. These figures are huge, and they are likely to keep growing at the current rate of development. Green construction attempts to address the need for more effective resource use in order to mitigate the human impact on the environment without thwarting economic growth.
Green buildings provide good living conditions without disrupting the ecological balance. They are sparing consumers of water and energy and make use of renewable energy and recycled and environmentally friendly building materials. Natural light is a main light source, waste is recycled or reused, and soundproofing and thermal insulation ensure good air quality and noise control without any heat loss.
The remodeled campus of the American College of Sofia fulfills all these criteria, which is why it was named Green Building of the Year in Bulgaria in 2018. The building is Gold certified by LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, the most widely used green building rating system in the world.
The organizers of the prestigious national Building of the Year competition introduced the green category in 2011 to encourage sustainable construction practices in Bulgaria. This category recognizes construction projects that contribute to the balanced development of the Bulgarian economy through high energy efficiency and the use of sustainable building materials.
The America for Bulgaria Campus Center’s reconstruction was supported by the America for Bulgaria Foundation and the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The main building of the American College of Sofia features neoclassical architecture, typical of the late 1920s and early 1930s. The reconstructed building was named the America for Bulgaria Campus Center in recognition of ABF’s longstanding support for the school.
Students put theory to practice in the TV newsroom, the maker space, and the robotics, computer modeling, and 3D printing labs at ACS.
The multipurpose hall features retractable seating, allowing it to host a variety of events and activities.
The library is equipped with extensive print and digital book collections.
Planted areas are an important part of any green urban space.
