"Target Issues"

Evaluating sustainable construction – Introduction

The five “target issues” defined by the LafargeHolcim Foundation quantify the degree to which buildings contribute to sustainable development. The IUCN Conservation Centre uses only 20 percent of the electricity consumed by a conventional building of its size and creates an exceptional indoor atmosphere that promotes social integrity and interaction. An overriding principle applied throughout the building is economy of means, achieved through lean design, “skin-and-bones” architecture, multifunctional building elements, and functional synergy where combined effects achieve better economic and ecological performance.

A framework for sustainable construction

The LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction is committed to the underlying principles of sustainability, which assert that long-term development of the built environment requires a balanced interplay of responsible economic, ecological, and social agendas.

To achieve this objective, the LafargeHolcim Foundation and its partner universities have identified five “target issues” that aim to clarify principles for sustaining the human habitat for future generations. These “target issues” serve as criteria for projects submitted for the LafargeHolcim Awards and as a road map for other related activities of the Foundation.

Innovation and transferability – Progress

Ethical standards and social inclusion – People

Resource and environmental performance – Planet

Economic viability and compatibility – Prosperity

Contextual and aesthetic impact – Place