"30 years KTIRIO - 30 years of architectural development and construction" in the Athens Concert Hall on 26/09/16.

A new distinction for Alexandros C. Samaras & Associates:

Our architectural creation, Hellenic-American Educational Foundation's "John M. Karras" Kindergarten in Psychico, received the top award in an on-line Contest for the Most Popular (Widely Appreciated) Building.

The Contest was organized by well-known Building Design and Technology Magazine "KTIRIO" commemorating its 30th anniversary. More than 6,600 individuals participated, casting their e-votes from April through September 2016.

Hellenic-American Educational Foundation's Kindergarten was the winner in one of the five sectoral Contest Categories (Public Administration / Health / Education / Culture), scoring 1,598 votes vs runner up New Acropolis Museum's 1,069 votes. Our Kindergarten's score was also the highest among all 50 finalist buildings in the Contest's five Sectorial Categories.

Hellenic-American Educational Foundation's Kindergarten is the recipient of a major sustainable architecture distinction. In 2014 it was certified with the internationally acclaimed Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design). It is the first building in Greece and the first Kindergarten building in the world (outside the United States) to have received this recognition of excellence granted by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The WorldGBC Europe Regional Leadership Awards promote leadership and inspire best practice in green building policy, construction projects and corporate initiatives. Winners demonstrate why green business is good for our planet, our people and our industry.

Awards are granted in three categories:

Leadership in Building Design and Performance
Recognising sustainable building projects.

Business Leadership in Sustainability
Celebrating companies with sustainable core business models.

Public Sector Leadership in Green Building
Public sector led sustainability policy or initiatives.

The nominees are in, and winners will be announced soon! 

The Hellenic-American Educational Foundation's Kindergarten "John M. Karras" was certified with the Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design). It is the first Platinum LEED awarded to an architectural project in Greece. It is also the first Kindergarten building in the world outside the United States to have received this top distinction granted by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Accordingly this project has become a showcase in sustainable design and construction.

More reliable ferry connections, featuring a twice-daily run of the high-speed hydrofoil from the mainland port of Piraeus, are transforming Folegandros into a destination for travelers seeking an unspoiled outpost.