Although Belgium is a small country, Olivier Bastin, Chief Architect for the Brussels-Capital Region, cites the strong heritage of working with finesse and sensitivity to social issues as important national characteristics. He is a strong advocate of implementing community contacts to show how working locally can successfully create a real, organic, and thus sustainable urban fabric.
Last updated: November 15, 2013 Brussels, Belgium
Video interview
In a video interview he discusses the engagement of Holcim in sustainable development – and why a producer in an energy-intensive industry would promote sustainability through an organization such as the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction.
The interview also introduces the 4th International Holcim Awards competition for projects and visions in sustainable construction that is currently open for entries. “The Holcim Awards looks for buildings that balance the best of a range of important factors,” he said.
The Holcim Awards is one of the most significant competitions in its field in terms of reputation and international scope. The fourth cycle of the competition offering a total of USD 2 million in prize money is now open for entries. The competition seeks leading projects from industry professionals and bold ideas from the “Next Generation” that contribute to sustainability within architecture, building, civil engineering, landscape and urban design, as well as construction materials and technologies. Entries must be submitted online at www.holcimawards.org by March 24, 2014.
Oliver Bastin
Olivier Bastin is an architect and co-founder of L’Escaut Architectures, a place where artists and architects can exchange practices in a social and cultural ambiance.
He has taught in the Faculty of Architecture at the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) La Cambre - Horta since 1994, and was appointed Chief Architect of the Brussels Region in 2009.
His projects include the Victor Jara Hall and the Ursulines Skating Park, which have won or been nominated for a number of major architectural honors.
Further reading
Holcim Awards open for entries
Zurich, Switzerland