Last weekend I met with Varvara Valchanova, an architect who is involved in sustainable construction and the use of natural materials. Our conversation ranged from her experience in earth building to her current LAND candidate site in the Rhodopes, where she restored old traditional houses and buildings using sustainable methods.
The audio from our talk can be found here. But since we talked in Bulgaria I’ll tell about it here in English for our international audience.
Varvara shared that her interest in natural materials and building techniques was inspired by her long stay in France, where she participated in various eco-construction projects. While still living abroad they got a place in Kosovo and when coming back during the summers to Bulgaria they started to slowly implement what she had learned. Together with her husband, she began restoring the old buildings in their piece of land, which we visited last weekend and saw the impressive results of their efforts.
Varvara emphasized the importance of communities and volunteer work, which are the foundation of many of her projects. The first group was students and young professionals from France and Italy who attended the seminars she organized, where they not only learned traditional construction techniques but also contributed to the restoration and maintenance of the buildings. Learning by doing!
Our conversation continued with a discussion of the challenges that climate change brings to the construction sector. Varvara is adamant that the need for sustainable building becomes more imperative with each passing year. She shares her hopes for the future, in which more people embrace and support the ideas of eco-construction and sustainable living.
In conclusion, Varvara Valchanova not only practices sustainable architecture but also actively lives by these principles and is involved in education in the field. Her approach and philosophy can serve as inspiration for all who seek to live in harmony with nature and contribute to a healthier future.
