LafargeHolcim calls for exemplary construction projects and visionary design concepts

Britain’s green build pioneers have been called on to take part in the LafargeHolcim Awards, for a chance to win from $2million prize pot.

The awards seek leading projects, as well as bold ideas, from the Next Generation that combine sustainable construction solutions with architectural excellence. The sixth cycle of the international competition is open for entries until 25 February next year.

As part of its ongoing commitment to support sustainable construction, Aggregate Industries, a proud member of LafargeHolcim, is once again calling on the UK’s best in the industry to enter LafargeHolcim’s global competition to find the true pioneers of sustainable construction.

Now in its sixth cycle, the prestigious competition has been designed to recognise and reward the projects that truly push boundaries and balance environmental performance, social responsibility and economic growth.

Submissions in the LafargeHolcim Awards main category include sustainable construction projects at an advanced stage of design, with a high probability of realisation. Construction/fabrication must not have started before 1 January this year.

The Awards’ Next Generation category seeks visionary design concepts and bold ideas at a preliminary stage of design, including design studio and research work.

To participate in this category, authors may not be older than 30 years of age – students and young professionals are welcome to enter the Awards main category with projects that have reached an advanced stage of design.

The Awards are expected to once again attract some of the most revolutionary talent in sustainable building, and entries will be evaluated by independent expert juries in five geographic regions of the world.

The criteria will be set against key ‘target issues’ for sustainable construction set by the LafargeHolcim Foundation, with an emphasis on innovation and transferability; ethical standards and social inclusion; resource and environmental performance; economic viability and compatibility; and contextual and aesthetic impact.

The competition promotes circular thinking and the reduction of CO2 emissions across all disciplines. It identifies the ideas with the highest potential to tackle the challenges associated with increasing urbanisation and to improve the quality of life.

Guy Edwards, Chief Executive Office at Aggregate Industries, commented: “As an industry we have an overriding duty to continue to build better buildings; creating a sustainable infrastructure which optimises efficiency and minimises environmental impact order to more carefully meet the needs of the present without compromising the wellbeing of future generations.

“While there is no doubt that huge progress has been made over recent years, there is still scope for so much more – but this requires progressive, blue-sky thinking, continual innovation and a much more joined-up approach within the construction sector.

“The LafargeHolcim Awards have been designed to recognise the true pioneers of sustainable build, those who go against the grain and push boundaries in order to devise truly innovative solutions to meet the many challenges facing modern construction.”

Representing the UK during the fifth awards cycle, ZEDpods Ltd, London, received the Bronze overall award for its work in zero (fossil) energy development units on parking lots, which was commended for providing a valid prototype for a low-carbon architecture built above existing public parking spaces – an ingenious solution to solve London’s housing shortage.

In addition, Anna Androva who studied at the UCL Bartlett School of Architecture, London, UK, was awarded the Next Generation 3rd prize 2017 Europe for her ‘Liquid Era’ project, which explored the new architectural vocabularies for a future city in an era marked as much by the physicality of things as by the liquidity of the digital realm.

Guy added: “The UK has long been a forerunner in its commitment to the green infrastructure and is home to some of the most incredible talent in the fields of sustainable development.

“We would therefore urge all potential UK candidates to get involved for a chance to be recognised in the most significant global competition for sustainable design in the world.”

Submitting entries is free and must be made in English using a web-based form to provide information on authorship, a project summary, technical details, as well as project images and/or illustrations.

A ‘step-by-step’ guide explains the process in detail and shows how to prepare an entry at www.lafargeholcim-awards.org

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