The Anglo-American School of Sofia
Inspired by nature, designed for children – this is the new courtyard of the Anglo-American School in Sofia.
A Dynamic Dialogue Between City and Landscape
The landscape project is guided by the silhouette of Vitosha Mountain and the dynamics of the city, with the aim of creating a school courtyard that is both naturally inspiring and functional. A healthy and sustainable environment is especially important for children, and here each of them can find their own space for play, learning, and relaxation in the fresh air and greenery. The outdoor areas are designed as a smooth transition from the architectural volume of the building to the organic forms typical for nature. Several functional zones have been created—central, wild and dry gardens, and sports fields—through which the space contributes positively to the microclimate, biodiversity, and the surrounding social and environmental context.
The Heart of the Campus
The central zone forms an attractive green link between the existing school buildings and the newly designed Art Center. It plays a key role as a multifunctional space — aesthetic, ecological, educational, and representative — connecting the old and the new into a unified environment. To diversify the otherwise flat terrain, numerous geoplastics have been created, ranging from 100 to 180 cm in height, resembling mountain ridges and serving to divide the area into smaller, distinct spaces for a variety of activities. This design allows for rest, outdoor classes, or events to take place simultaneously, without the different activities interfering with one another. Tree plantings and flower beds with perennial species further enrich the landscape, adding layers of forms, textures, and colors. The entire space is interwoven with linear seating elements, scattered in an intentionally irregular pattern.
Natural and Sustainable Gardens
The southern area is designed as a natural, low-maintenance garden where grasses and flowers grow freely, allowing students to observe seasonal changes and biodiversity. The dry gardens provide a smooth transition between the green areas and the paved surfaces, directing rainwater into a reservoir for reuse in irrigation. More than 50 mature trees have been preserved, complemented by over 160 newly planted ones and more than 3,300 shrubs, grasses, and perennials. The selected native and adapted species ensure resilience, low maintenance, and high ecological value. Colors, scents, and textures alternate throughout the seasons, inviting children to experience nature up close. The landscaping is abundant—trees, perennial flowers, and grasses create a year-round dynamic of forms and hues.
Ecological Design and Social Interaction
The landscape improves the microclimate, creates opportunities for social interaction and outdoor learning, and nurtures children’s respect for the environment. The park furniture consists of stationary benches made of gabions filled with natural stone and movable wooden stools, allowing the spaces to be easily transformed according to the activities and the number of students. Rich and diverse greenery is one of the most important and distinctive features of this courtyard. It supports biodiversity, with 70% of the plant species providing habitat and food for birds and pollinators. The plant palette is composed mainly of native and adapted species. Coniferous trees are used as vertical accents, while deciduous species were selected for their varied forms and decorative effects, revealed at different times throughout the growing season.
By creating a place of high aesthetic and ecological value, we nurture in children respect for their environment and a sense of responsibility for the future.
