sustainable construction Regional and global Holcim Awards competition for sustainable construction projects 2005/2006 sustainable construction The Holcim Awards trophy consists of a concrete base surmounted by an icosahedron – a 12-cornered geometric form comprising 3 rectangles. The aspect ratio of the rectangles corresponds to the “perfect proportions” of the golden section, thus representing the goals of sustainable construction: harmony between today and tomorrow, between resources and consumption, and between needs and opportunities. The trophy for the regional competition carries the colors of the Holcim Foundation – red, gray, and black. The trophies for the global competition are gold, silver, and bronze. The Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction promotes sustainable construction around the world. To en- courage new approaches, genuine innovation and visionary thinking, the Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction are conferred every three years for progressive projects. This book presents the entries to the first competition cycle, which began in No- vember 2004 and ended in April 2006. It also documents movements and trends in sustainable construction – regionally and globally. Regional and global Holcim Awards competition Winners by region North America Latin America Europe Canada, Montreal Argentina, Buenos Aires Italy, Amalfi Global Holcim Award Bronze Holcim Award Gold Global Holcim Award Silver Regional Holcim Award Gold Page 118 Regional Holcim Award Gold Pages 29, 68 and 98 Brazil, Rio de Janeiro Pages 28, 58 and 80 USA, San Francisco, Holcim Award Silver Germany, Stuttgart Holcim Award Silver Page 120 Global Holcim Award Gold Page 100 Venezuela, Caracas Regional Holcim Award Silver Canada, Winnipeg Global Holcim Award Gold Pages 27, 48 and 82 Holcim Award Bronze Regional Holcim Award Gold Spain, Seville Page 102 Pages 26, 38 and 122 Holcim Award Bronze USA, Warren Brazil, São Paulo Page 84 Acknowledgement Prize Acknowledgement Prize Italy, Rome Page 104 Page 124 Acknowledgement Prize Canada, Kingston Brazil, São Paulo Page 85 Acknowledgement Prize Acknowledgement Prize Spain, Madrid Page 105 Page 125 Acknowledgement Prize Canada, Vancouver Venezuela, Caracas Page 86 Acknowledgement Prize Acknowledgement Prize Spain, Cehegin Page 106 Page 126 Acknowledgement Prize USA, Flagstaff Argentina, Mendoza Page 87 Acknowledgement Prize Encouragement Prize Portugal, Lisbon Page 107 Page 127 Encouragement Prize USA, Boston Brazil, Belo Horizonte Page 88 Encouragement Prize Encouragement Prize Switzerland, Zurich Page 108 Page 128 Encouragement Prize USA, New York Colombia, Medellín Page 89 Encouragement Prize Encouragement Prize Italy, Venice Page 109 Page 129 Encouragement Prize USA, Washington Colombia, Medellín Page 90 Encouragement Prize Encouragement Prize Page 110 Page 130 Africa Middle East Asia Pacific Morocco, Marrakech China, Hangzhou Holcim Award Gold Holcim Award Gold Page 138 Page 156 South Africa, Nieuwoudtville Philippines, Cagayan de Oro City Holcim Award Silver Holcim Award Silver Page 140 Page 158 South Africa, Cape Town Japan, Hiroshima Holcim Award Bronze Holcim Award Bronze Page 142 Page 160 Morocco, Erfoud China, Ning Bo Acknowledgement Prize Acknowledgement Prize Page 144 Page 162 Saudi Arabia, Riyadh China, Shanghai Acknowledgement Prize Acknowledgement Prize Page 145 Page 163 Botswana, Jwaneng India, New Delhi Acknowledgement Prize Acknowledgement Prize Page 146 Page 164 Egypt, El Quseir China, Fuyang Encouragement Prize Encouragement Prize Page 147 Page 165 Kenya, Nairobi Philippines, Itbayat Encouragement Prize Encouragement Prize Page 148 Page 166 China, Chengdu Encouragement Prize Page 167 Contents On the road to sustainability Global Holcim Awards 2006 Regional Holcim Awards 2005 Holcim Foundation 6 First cycle of the Holcim Awards, Markus Akermann and Rolf Soiron 8 Five easy pieces, Marc Angélil and Cary Siress 12 Baby steps and giant leaps, Klaus Töpfer 32 The essence of sustainable construction, Yolanda Kakabadse 94 Beyond dissipation and concentration, Hansjürg Leibundgut 113 Urbanization of emerging economies, Ashok B. Lall 134 From basic needs to cultural values and local identity, Saïd Mouline 152 An architectural fable, Donald Bates 170 Qualified projects 18 Jury meeting 24 Gold, Venezuela 26, 38 Gold, Germany 27, 48 Silver, Italy 28, 58 Bronze, Canada 29, 68 Awards ceremony 30 Europe 78, 174 North America 96, 178 Latin America 116, 180 Africa Middle East 136, 188 Asia Pacific 154, 192 Activities and organization 196 7 Rolf Soiron (left) is the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Holcim Foundation and Chairman of Holcim Ltd. Markus Akermann is the Chairman of the Management Board of the Holcim Foundation and CEO of Holcim Ltd. The Holcim Foundation aspires to stim- First cycle of the ulate widespread awareness of the importance of sustainability in the con- struction industry. To accomplish Holcim Awards this objective, the Holcim Awards were established to honor innovative work Markus Akermann and Rolf Soiron in fields pertaining to the built environ- ment. The competition intends to foster experimental modes of practice that accelerate momentum toward a more equitable human condition worldwide. Awards are an effective way to en- courage and inspire achievements that go beyond convention. The competition was organized in two successive phases. The first phase started in 2004 and was held in the five geographic regions Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa Middle East and Asia Pacific. The second phase 8 was global in scope. Regardless of scale, each region automatically qualified for on what constitutes sustainability for projects at an advanced stage of design the global Holcim Awards. In April 2006 the built environment. but not yet under construction were prizes amounting to an additional eligible for submission. Entries had to 1 million US dollars were awarded in a Based on the success of this initial com- demonstrate proof of sustainability ceremony held in Bangkok, Thailand. petition, a second cycle of the Holcim according to five target issues defined Awards is envisioned to commence in by the Holcim Foundation and its This publication documents this pro- June 2007. Again, the ambition is to partner universities. These criteria cess. It is conceived as an atlas provid- promote future-oriented strategies in address the need for a quantum leap ing a snapshot of the current state architecture, engineering, urban design, in ecological, economic, social, and of sustainable construction worldwide. and policy-making that implement new aesthetic performance. The focus of the book is on professional aptitudes for sustainability, and are practice, offering a platform for trans- inspired by a mandate for innovation At the regional level, more than 3,000 lating ideas and methods of sustain- beyond purely technical solutions. To projects from 120 countries were ability into applicable propositions. shape an ethic for a sustainable world, submitted and subsequently reviewed Thus, the atlas is understood to be both now and in the future, is precisely by independent juries. In ceremonies a survey that maps actual trajectories what is at stake. held between September and October in practice, and a tool to access know- 2005, 46 teams were merited with how in the field of construction. prizes totaling 1.1 million US dollars. Statements by invited authors from Following this round of the compe- various disciplines and representing tition, the three top winning teams of different perspectives enrich the debate 9 Sustainable construction Sustainability is a multifaceted paradigm that intertwines an array of complex issues. To make sustainable construction more accessible, the Holcim Foundation developed a five-point definition. These so-called target issues serve as yardsticks to measure the degree to which a structure contributes to sustainable develop- ment. The independent juries of the Holcim Awards used these criteria to evaluate the competition entries. 10 Quantum change and transferability The project must demonstrate innovation at the forefront of sustainable construction, a quantum leap in comparison to conventional procedures. Breakthroughs and trend-setting approaches, regardless of scale, must be transferable to a range of other applications. Ethical standards and social equity The project must adhere to the highest ethical standards and support social equity at all stages of construction, from planning and building processes to long-term impact on the communal fabric. The project is to provide an advanced response vis-à-vis ethical and social responsibility. Ecological quality and energy conservation The project must exhibit a sensible use and management of natural resources throughout its life cycle, including operation and maintenance. Long-term environmental concerns, whether pertaining to flows of material or energy, should be an integral part of the built entity. Economic performance and compatibility The project must prove to be economically feasible and innovative as to the deployment of financial resources. Funding must promote an economy of means and be compatible with the demands and constraints encountered throughout the construction’s life span. Contextual and aesthetic impact The project must convey a high standard of architectural quality as to the manner in which it addresses its cultural and physical context. With space and form of utmost significance, the construction must have a lasting aesthetic impact on its surrounding environment. 11