Three Indian Projects Win Big at LafargeHolcim Awards

MUMBAI:
LafargeHolcim Foundation announced the winners at the recently held Regional LafargeHolcim Awards Ceremony 2020 Asia Pacific. The LafargeHolcim Awards are the world’s most significant competition for sustainable design. Its Next Generation category recognises the visionary concepts and bold ideas of young professionals and students. Out of the five projects declared winners for Asia Pacific region, three were Indian projects.

The top three winners received a prize money of USD 25,000, USD 20,000, and USD 15,000, while the two ex aequo fourth-place winners received USD 10,000, each. In addition to the prize money, each winner also received a personalized trophy featuring the Modulor of the Swiss architect LeCorbusier.

The ‘Recovered Foreshore in India’ project – Waterfront sanitation and community infrastructure by Soledad Patiño was awarded the first prize. ‘Towers of Strength in India’ – Multifunctional amenities and services in informal settlements by Lorenzo Fernandes was conferred with the second position and Cultivated Envelope in India – Vernacular green facade system by Divya Jyoti also bagged an award.

“Witnessing the display of design prowess by young professionals is inspiring. Three Indian projects being recognised at the Awards is a great feat and I would like to congratulate the brilliant young minds. The winning projects from India, Thailand, and Indonesia all share a strong focus on social sustainability. At Holcim, we advocate innovation, sustainable construction and achieving net zero, and through these recognitions, we aim to encourage more architects and designers to come up with cutting-edge climate positive designs and solutions” said, Neeraj Akhoury, CEO India, Holcim and MD & CEO of Ambuja Cements Limited.

Now in its sixth edition, a total of 4,742 projects from 134 countries submitted entries for the award. The shortlisted entries which met the competition criteria underwent a rigourous screening process in online jury meetings in the five competition regions. The entries are judged on five Target Issues for Sustainable Construction – Progress, People, Planet, Prosperity, and Place.

The LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction was created in 2003 by LafargeHolcim as an independent legal entity to raise awareness of the important role that architecture, engineering, urban planning, and the building industry have in achieving a more sustainable future.