The Hellenic-American Educational Foundation (HAEF) Kindergarten –dedicated to John M. Karras– has been 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.

The architectural design and supervision of the Kindergarten’s construction is the pro bono work of Alexandros C. Samaras & Associates, Architects offered to the non-profit HAEF.

The Kindergarten’s exposed roof area is covered with a green roof which provides a seamless integration of the new building to the environment, thus enhancing local biodiversity. Rainwater harvesting was introduced as a sustainable solution to reducing potable water demand for irrigation of the extensive landscape areas and for toilet flushing. Thanks to the project design which allows ample daylight penetration in all regularly occupied areas, the project eliminates lighting loads and creates a high-quality indoor environment for the school. Approximately 90 percent of the regularly occupied spaces of the Kindergarten offer a view to the outdoors, as well as natural daylight throughout the space.

HAEF’s Kindergarten achieved exemplary performance credits for several components including the extensive use of sustainable materials.