The design for a primary school in the city centre of Sofia, Bulgaria was carried out as a part of public buildings design studio in 2008, during my master studies at the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at Varna Free University.

 

The main aim of the project was remodeling the already existing primary school, and transforming it into a more sustainable and energy-efficient one. Half of the school`s total electricity need will be produced via PV panels on the roof. The green roof garden is there to minimize the ‘heat island’ effect, it contributes to  the quality of roof insulation, and has educational purpose as it will be used for school`s botany and biology classes. So that the quality of light is improved, and the energy demand for artificial light during the day reduced, all classroom windows have light reflecting shelves.

 

The façade design is bright and colorful so that the school can be distinguished from the conglomerate of the gray tones of the neighborhood architecture, built during the 70`s and 80`s. Each organizational unit in school has its notable volume and colour.   Part with administrative offices is red, which symbolizes rules and regulations, management and control; sport fields and gym are blue that symbolizes movement, freedom, youth, fun and upswing; volume with library, mediatheque and canteen is colored in lime yellow-green symbolizing beginning and optimism. This colour also is associated with ecological principles and therefore from the top floor the connection is given with the green roof garden. The tallest volumes accent the main entrances.