building foundations for society’s future
TRANSCRIPT
Building foundations for society’s future
Holcim Foundation
for Sustainable Construction
Hagenholzstrasse 85
CH-8050 Zurich/Switzerland
Phone +41 58 858 82 92
www.holcimfoundation.org
Find us also on
www.holcimawards.org/facebook
www.holcimawards.org/twitter
www.holcimawards.org/youtube
10/14Footprint of the International Holcim Awards competition
Sustainable construction – an obligation
Sustainability requires that the present
generation meets its needs without limiting
the opportunities of future generations. For an
approach to enable long-term viability, it must
integrate economic, environmental and social
impacts – the elements of the triple bottom line.
The construction industry can contribute greatly
to global sustainability because everything
that is built shapes the way people live today,
and in the future. Over their lifetime, buildings
account for up to 40% of primary energy
consumption. Handling building design and
management, material selection, and also
energy and resource consumption in a sustain-
able manner contributes significantly to an
ecologically responsible development. In addition,
advanced responses in terms of ethical and
social responsibility and financially feasible
projects that provide long-term economic
benefits illustrate the important role that
architecture, engineering, urban planning
and construction have in achieving a more
sustainable future.
1
The individual wall panels of the “Secondary school with
passive ventilation system” in Gando, Burkina Faso, are cast
in a two-piece steel form using unsieved loam, cement,
gravel and lime. Slightly curved, the wall panels are inherently
stable and rigid. All community members are involved in
the building of their new school; men produce the tiles, women
compact the traditional earth floor. Designed by Francis Kéré,
Berlin (Global Holcim Awards Gold 2012).
3
An effective tool to encourage the exchange of ideas and
the transfer of innovation: Publications commemorating
the Holcim Forums and the Holcim Awards competitions,
and a monographic series showcasing world-class projects.
Creating awareness, promoting excellence
The Holcim Foundation aims to create awareness
of the importance of sustainable construction
among professionals and the public. It seeks to
globally interlink knowledge and to encourage
a mindset that views sustainability not only in
terms of immense technical challenges, but also
incorporates architectural excellence and leads to
an improved quality of life.
Focuses of activity
Together with its partner universities, the Holcim
Foundation advances the academic discussion of
sustainable construction by issuing technical publi-
cations and holding international conferences,
the Holcim Forum (page 17). The Foundation also
presents Holcim Awards on regional and global
levels; these competitions are open to everyone
involved in sustainable construction (page 13).
Network of stakeholders
Around the globe, the Holcim Foundation
participates in many events and exhibitions for
sustainable construction – particularly in
cooperation with architectural associations or
Holcim Group companies. Through its activities,
the Foundation has developed a close-knit global
network of stakeholders, and it has grown to
assume the role of information hub.
Partnerships
To pursue its goals, the Foundation collaborates
closely with some of the most renowned
technical universities: Swiss Federal Institute
of Technology (ETH Zurich / EPFL Lausanne),
Switzerland; Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT), Cambridge, USA; Universidad Iberoamericana
(UIA), Mexico City, Mexico; Ecole Supérieure
d’Architecture de Casablanca (EAC), Morocco;
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Bombay),
Mumbai, India; Tongji University (TJU), Shanghai,
China; Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Brazil;
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannes-
burg, South Africa; American University of Beirut
(AUB), Lebanon; Tsinghua University (THU), Beijing,
China; and University of Melbourne, Australia.
The “Locally-manufactured cob and bamboo school building”
in Jar Maulwi, Pakistan, mitigates earthquake risk by using a
structure divided into two parts. The ceiling structure is con-
nected with cords, using adapted traditional methods, making
the roof more robust. The upper-floor is framed in durable
bamboo. Thick ground-floor walls made of cob are supported by
a masonry foundation which protects against moisture ingress
from the soil. Designed by Ziegert Roswag Seiler, Berlin (Holcim
Awards Gold 2011 Asia Pacific).
5
Committed to sustainability worldwide
As a leading global provider of building materials
and services, Holcim Ltd shares responsibility
for the future of our planet and society. That is
why Holcim produces building materials as
sustainably as possible in around 70 countries
in which it is present. For many years, the
Group has been committed to the sustainable
application of its products and has been included
in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index
for eleven consecutive years.
To promote sustainable construction even
more decisively, Holcim established the Holcim
Foundation for Sustainable Construction in 2003.
The Foundation is supported by Holcim, but
remains independent of its commercial interests.
A strong approach to sustainable construction: IUCN Conserva-
tion Centre in Gland, Switzerland, by agps.architecture, Zurich,
including the Holcim Think Tank on top of the new building. An
edition of the monographic series of outstanding examples of
sustainable construction by the Holcim Foundation showcases
this building.
7
“Target issues”: Assessing sustainability
To make the criteria of sustainable construction
concise and transparent, the Holcim Foundation
and its partner universities have defined five
“target issues”. They consider sustainability
from a holistic perspective:
Progress – Innovation and transferability
Projects must demonstrate innovative approaches
to sustainable development, pushing the envelope
of practice and exploring new disciplinary frontiers.
Irrespective of scale, breakthroughs and trend-setting
discoveries must be transferable to a range of other
applications.
People – Ethical standards and social equity
Projects must adhere to the highest ethical standards
and promote social equity at all stages of construc-
tion, from planning and building to use and servicing,
to ensure an enduring positive impact on communi-
ties. Proposals must demonstrate how they enhance
the collective realm.
The “target issues” serve as the basis for the adjudication
process of the Holcim Awards competitions, and also illustrate
the strength of diverse approaches to sustainable construction
(from top to bottom): “Sustainable refurbishment of a primary
school” near Al Azarije, Palestine, by Arcò (Holcim Awards Silver
2011 Africa Middle East); “High-efficiency concrete formwork
technology” from Zurich, Switzerland by Gramazio & Kohler
(Global Holcim Innovation 1st prize 2012); “Urban Integration of
an informal area” in Medellín, Colombia, by Gustavo Restrepo
(Holcim Awards Gold 2008 Latin America).
9
Planet – Resources and environmental performance
Projects must exhibit a sensible use and manage-
ment of natural resources throughout their entire life
cycle. Long-term environmental concerns, especially
pertaining to stocks and flows of material and energy,
should be an integral part of the design philosophy.
Prosperity – Economic viability and compatibility
Projects must prove to be economically feasible with
regard to channeling and managing financial flows
in a fair and responsible manner. Fiscal models must
promote an economy of ends and means and be
compatible with demands across the construction’s
lifespan.
Place – Contextual and aesthetic impact
Projects must convey a high standard of architectural
quality as a prevalent form of cultural expression.
With space, form and aesthetic impact of utmost
significance, the material manifestation of the design
must make a positive and lasting contribution to the
environment.
From top to bottom: “Stabilized earth visitors’ center” Mapun-
gubwe National Park, South Africa, by Lerotholi Rich Associated
Architects (Acknowledgement prize 2008 Africa Middle East);
“Energy and water efficient border control station” in Van Buren,
ME, USA, by Julie Snow Architects (Holcim Awards Bronze 2011
North America); “Primary healthcare center” near Dharmapuri,
India, by flying elephant studio (Acknowledgement prize 2011
Asia Pacific).
11
13Recognition of forward-looking projects
The International Holcim Awards competition
recognizes innovative projects and future-
oriented concepts on regional and global levels.
They are designed to encourage architects,
planners, engineers and project owners to go
beyond conventional notions of sustainable
construction in their work and to harmonize
economic, ecological and social concerns.
Projects and concepts in the fields of architecture,
building and civil engineering, landscape and
urban design, materials, products and construction
technologies that contribute to the five “target
issues” for sustainable construction are eligible for
entry in the competition.
A two-stage international competition
Each competition cycle spans three years. A total
of two million US dollars in prize money is awarded
in each cycle. The competition is handled in two
stages. In the first stage the best projects and con-
cepts are sought in the five world regions:
Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa Middle
East and Asia Pacific. The 15 projects that receive
Holcim Awards Gold, Silver or Bronze in these five
regions are then qualified to compete for the Global
Holcim Awards Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Holcim Awards Gold, Silver and Bronze winners 2014 North
America (above); and Francis Kéré, Germany, winner of the Global
Holcim Awards Gold 2012 for “Secondary school with passive
ventilation system” in Gando, Burkina Faso (below).
15Independent juries evaluate the entries in the
regions, a global jury assesses the finalists’
entries at global level. The juries, hosted by
the partner universities of the Foundation,
are comprised of highly-regarded members of
science, business and society.
Current competition
The 4th International Holcim Awards attracted more
than 6,000 entries for construction projects and
visions to be pursued in 152 countries on all conti-
nents. Winners of the regional phase of the competi-
tion are announced at Holcim Awards ceremonies in
the second half of 2014 in Moscow, Toronto, Medellín,
Beirut, and Jakarta.
The three main Awards winners from each of the
five geographical regions will be asked to submit a
more comprehensive project overview for evaluation
by a global jury who will select the winners of the
Global Holcim Awards Gold, Silver, Bronze in 2015.
From top to bottom: “Sustainable planning for a rural communi-
ty” in Beijing, China, by Yue Zhang (Global Holcim Awards Bronze
2009); “Urban remediation and civic infrastructure hub” in São
Paulo, Brazil, by Urban-Think Tank (U-TT) (Global Holcim Awards
Silver 2012); “Low-cost apartments incorporating smart materi-
als” in Hamburg, Germany, by Barkow Leibinger (Global Holcim
Innovation 2nd prize 2012).
17Professional exchange
In cooperation with its partner universities,
the Holcim Foundation organizes symposiums
on sustainable construction, the International
Holcim Forum. These technical conferences offer
architects, engineers, building professionals and
experts from all generations and geographic
locations an interdisciplinary academic platform
for exchanging ideas and information.
International and interdisciplinary dialog
The inaugural Holcim Forum was held in Zurich
in 2004 on the subject of “Basic Needs”. It inves-
tigated the rudiments of every modern society.
In 2007 experts met in Shanghai for the 2nd Inter-
national Holcim Forum “Urban_Trans_Formation”,
dedicated to the reshaping of cities. The 3rd Forum
took place in Mexico City in 2010 and focused on
“Re-inventing Construction”. The 4th Forum on the
subject of “Economy of Sustainable Construction”
was held in Mumbai in 2013. The symposium
attracted some 380 participants from 40 countries.
The 5th International Holcim Forum on the topic of
“Claiming Infrastructure” will be held in Detroit, USA,
in April 2016.
4th International Holcim Forum: Concluding debate with Ashok
Lall, India; Werner Sobek, Germany; Nirmal Kishnani, Singapore;
and Marc Angélil, Switzerland (above); and Alejandro Aravena,
Chile, delivering his keynote address: “Uncommon sense and
the Economy of Sustainable Construction”.
Encouraging the next generation
The Holcim Foundation recognizes the impor-
tance of engaging with the next generation to
promote innovative approaches to sustainable
construction in diverse ways. The International
Holcim Awards competition features a “Next
Generation” category for concepts and visions
of students and young professionals up to the
age of 30 years.
At the International Holcim Forum, post-graduate
students compete in a poster competition, provid-
ing an opportunity for dialog and networking
with some of the world’s leading practitioners,
in addition to bringing the visions of young
professionals to the symposium.
Holcim Awards “Next Generation” prize winners 2014 Europe
(above); Student Poster Competition at the 4th International
Holcim Forum 2013: Rolf Soiron, Chairman of the Board of the
Holcim Foundation, congratulating the winners from Morocco
(below).
19
Board of the Holcim FoundationEn
riq
ue
Nor
ten
, Pri
nci
pal
an
d F
oun
der
, TEN
A
rqu
itec
tos,
Mex
ico/
USA
Har
ry G
ugg
er, P
rin
cip
al, H
arry
Gu
gger
Stu
dio
, Bas
el;
Prof
esso
r of
Arc
hit
ectu
re, É
cole
Pol
ytec
hn
iqu
e Fé
dér
ale
de
Lau
san
ne
(EPF
L), S
wit
zerl
and
Mar
c A
ngé
lil, P
artn
er, a
gps.
arch
itec
ture
; Sen
ior
Dea
n, C
hai
r of
A
rch
itec
ture
an
d D
esig
n, S
wis
s Fe
der
al In
stit
ute
of T
ech
nol
ogy
(ETH
Zu
rich
), Sw
itze
rlan
d
Ale
jan
dro
Ara
ven
a, P
artn
er A
rch
itec
t an
d E
xecu
tive
D
irec
tor
of E
lem
enta
l, C
hile
Mar
ia A
tkin
son
AM
, Su
stai
nab
ility
Bu
sin
ess
Ad
viso
r an
d F
oun
din
g C
EO o
f th
e G
reen
Bu
ildin
g C
oun
cil o
f A
ust
ralia
, Au
stra
lia
Ber
nar
d F
onta
na
(Ch
airm
an o
f th
e St
eeri
ng
Com
mit
tee)
, C
EO, H
olci
m, S
wit
zerl
and
Rolf
Soi
ron
(Ch
airm
an o
f th
e B
oard
), C
hai
rman
20
03-2
014,
Hol
cim
, Sw
itze
rlan
d
Rola
nd
Wal
ker
(Del
egat
e of
th
e B
oard
), fo
rmer
H
ead
of
Cor
por
ate
Com
mu
nic
atio
ns,
Hol
cim
, Sw
itze
rlan
d
Rt H
on S
imon
Up
ton
, Dir
ecto
r of
th
e O
ECD
En
viro
nm
ent
Dir
ecto
rate
an
d f
orm
er E
nvi
ron
men
t M
inis
ter
of N
ew Z
eala
nd
, Fra
nce
Ale
xan
der
Bin
er, P
artn
er, M
S M
anag
emen
t Se
rvic
e,
Swit
zerl
and