About Lafargeholcim foundation for sustainable construction
The LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction is a non-profit organization that was established in 2003 by the Swiss-based cement company, Holcim. The foundation's mission is to promote sustainable construction practices and to encourage innovation in the building industry. The foundation operates globally and has supported numerous projects around the world that focus on sustainable construction.
The Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction believes that sustainability should be at the forefront of all construction projects. This means considering not only environmental factors but also social and economic factors as well. The foundation recognizes that buildings have a significant impact on our environment, consuming vast amounts of energy and resources during their construction, operation, and eventual demolition.
To address these issues, the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction supports research into new materials and technologies that can reduce the environmental impact of buildings while also improving their performance. The foundation also promotes education and awareness about sustainable construction practices among architects, engineers, builders, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
One of the key initiatives of the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction is its international awards program. This program recognizes innovative projects from around the world that demonstrate excellence in sustainable design and construction. The awards are open to architects, engineers, planners, project owners or developers who have created outstanding examples of sustainable building solutions.
The awards program has been running since 2004 with five cycles held so far (2005-06; 2008-09; 2011-12; 2014-15; 2017-18). Each cycle focuses on a different theme related to sustainability in architecture such as "Sustainable Construction: A Vision for Tomorrow" or "Re-materializing Construction". Winners receive prize money totaling USD $2 million which they can use towards furthering their work in sustainable design.
In addition to its awards program, the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction also hosts symposiums where experts from around the world can come together to discuss sustainable construction practices. These symposiums provide a platform for sharing knowledge and ideas about how to create more sustainable buildings and communities.
The foundation's work has been recognized by numerous organizations, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) which awarded it the "Global 500 Roll of Honour" in 2008. The foundation has also been recognized by the Swiss government for its contributions to sustainable development.
In conclusion, the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction is an important organization that is working towards creating a more sustainable future through innovative design and construction practices. Its awards program, symposiums, and other initiatives are helping to raise awareness about sustainability in architecture and inspire new solutions that can reduce our impact on the environment while improving our quality of life.