A commitment to sustainability in design, environmental surroundings and human use provide the basis for projects coming from the architectural firm Foster + Partners.

Sir Norman Foster, in Bulgaria for the December 12 opening of the exhibition The Architecture of Norman Foster at the National Gallery for Foreign Art in Sofia; Spencer de Grey, a senior executive and head of design at Foster + Partners; Georgii Stanishev, director of the International Academy of Architecture and vice president of International Foundation Yakov Chernihov; and Dimcho Mihalevski, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, spent a few minutes talking to the press and guests related to the field of architecture about the exhibition and about what it takes to create meaningful design projects.

The show itself is comprised of scale models, blueprints, photos and videos of various projects that Sir Foster and Foster + Partners have created over the past years, like Wembley Stadium in London, the Swiss Re Tower (often referred to as "the Gherkin" because of its shape), the Viaduc de Millau in France, the Millennium Bridge in London and Chep Lap Kok Airport in Hong Kong.

De Grey introduced the firm's first potential project in Bulgaria - Black Sea Gardens, to be located north of Byala. He said that, if and when they were built, the five ecologically friendly holiday villages and residential areas would be pollution neutral.

"This could make Bulgaria a part of the modern architectural world, while respecting the environment," De Grey said. "Sustainability is right at the top of the agenda."
Foster shared his delight about the exhibition - which was organised and realised by a Bulgarian team - and with the "generosity of space" that the National Gallery offered.

He said that architecture is "about sharing the projects of diverse locations; it's about sharing the experience, a respect for tradition, learning from history while moving forward through sustainability".

And while famous the world over, the philosophy behind Foster + Partners remains designing for people. "Human needs cut across any divisions," Foster said. "Every project is special to its place. Research is important in any project - the values of the community, an appropriate sense of identity."

At the vernissage of The Architecture of Norman Foster, various guests came to congratulate the team, including Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev - the brother of architect Georgii Stanishev - and . Regional Development and Public Works Minister Assen Gagaouzov.

The show is on until January 15.