Videos

“The #LafargeHolcimAwards is a very positive Catalyst for Change – and sheds light on what #SustainableConstruction means in different cities around the world” says Noor Marji, who studied architecture at the German Jordanian University. She won a Next Generation prize in 2017 for a hybrid structure that takes on both architectural and infrastructural traits, while restoring a piece of the Amman’s undulating terrain.

“The LafargeHolcim Awards is a great opportunity to elevate your project – and be part of a global conversation on design excellence and sustainability in architecture” says Sharon Johnston.

Johnston Marklee won an Acknowledgement prize in 2017 for the renovation and extension of the Graduate Art Studios at UCLA in Culver City, California. Sharon Johnston will be a member of the jury for North America in 2020. The LafargeHolcim Awards is the world’s most significant competition for sustainable design.

“Winning a prize not only gives you a boost professionally – it also helps to build momentum with all stakeholders in the project to move towards construction” says Joaquín Pérez-Goicoechea. AGi architects won an Acknowledgement prize for Bio-Palimpsest that addresses archaeological sites in Pontevedra, Spain as whole environments far beyond the excavated artifact.

Entering the LafargeHolcim Awards competition is a great way to push your ideas further” – says Eva Pfannes, Ooze Architects and LafargeHolcim Awards Bronze winner for a sanitation system for informal community in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

More than 80 of the project’s enthusiastic workforce met in the backyard of Atelier masōmī in Niamey, the capital of Niger to recognize the dedicated labor force of local masons, electrical- and metal-workers and technicians.

“You’ll be part of a network of contacts in different industries and countries – which is something we cherish a lot” – says Jeanette Kuo on winning a  LafargeHolcim Awards prize. Karamuk Kuo Architects project for an excavation center at Augusta Raurica provides a flexible structure system for safeguarding the largest Roman archaeological site in Switzerland.

“Follow a material’s life-cycle to get a better view of the industry,” concludes Kai-Uwe Bergmann at the LafargeHolcim Forum on “Re-materializing construction”. Bergmann is partner architect at Bjarke Ingels Group and was a workshop respondent at the LafargeHolcim Forum for Sustainable Construction. 

“We need to challenge the limits of materials,” demands Jens Diebold following the LafargeHolcim Forum on “Re-materializing construction”. Diebold is Head of Sustainable Development of LafargeHolcim and member of the Board of the LafargeHolcim Foundation. 

“It’s important to talk about how to deal with materials in the future,” says Francis Kéré following the LafargeHolcim Forum on “Re-materializing construction”. Kéré is principal of Kéré Architecture in Berlin and was a keynote speaker at the LafargeHolcim Forum for Sustainable Construction. 

“Concrete is a very ecologically-friendly and local material – it must be improved and made more efficient,” explains Karen Scrivener following the LafargeHolcim Forum on “Re-materializing construction”. Scrivener is Head of the Laboratory of Construction Materials at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL Lausanne).

“We have enough existing materials – we can improve them and make them more effective,” explains Anne Lacaton following the LafargeHolcim Forum on “Re-materializing construction”. Lacaton is co-founder of Lacaton & Vassal architects in Paris and was a keynote speaker at the LafargeHolcim Forum for Sustainable Construction. 

“Bring all the knowledge to the political decision-makers,” demands Rt Hon Simon Upton following the LafargeHolcim Forum on “Re-materializing construction” where he was concluding keynote speaker. Upton is the former Environmental Director of the OECD and currently New Zealand Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.

“The least resource consumption for a maximum use,” summarizes Michael Scharpf following the LafargeHolcim Forum on “Re-materializing construction.” Scharpf is Lead Manager Sustainable Construction of LafargeHolcim.

“We can provide the supply but not the demand,” states Cédric de Meeûs following the LafargeHolcim Forum on “Re-materializing construction” with regard to the recycling of concrete. De Meeûs is Head of Public Affairs of LafargeHolcim. 

“From new construction to waste collection – re-materializing has many angles,” says Brinda Somaya following the LafargeHolcim Forum in Egypt. Somaya is Principal of Somaya & Kalappa Consultants in India and member of the Board of the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction. 

“Materials are forever stretching the boundaries of what is possible – in a future of doing more with less,” says Lord Norman Foster following the LafargeHolcim Forum on “Re-materializing construction”. Lord Foster is founder and principal of Foster & Partners and was the opening keynote speaker at the LafargeHolcim Forum for Sustainable Construction. 

“The better we understand the materials we’ve got, the sooner we can start to deal with their problems,” summarized Stuart Smith following the LafargeHolcim Forum on “Re-materializing construction”. Smith is director at Arup in Germany and the UK, and member of the Board of the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction. 

“We have to work together – building naturally or industrially,” says Anna Heringer following the LafargeHolcim Forum on “Re-materializing construction”. Heringer is Honorary Professor of the UNESCO Chair in Earthen Architecture and co-moderated a workshop at the LafargeHolcim Forum for Sustainable Construction.

“It’s too simple to say we need sustainable building materials – we need a systematic approach,” notes Jan Jenisch following the LafargeHolcim Forum on “Re-materializing construction”. Jenisch is the CEO of LafargeHolcim and member of the Board of the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction. 

“We need knowledge to address the built environment,” says Alejandro Aravena following the LafargeHolcim Forum on “Re-materializing construction”. Aravena is partner architect of Elemental in Chile and member of the Board of the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction.