The Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction sought out the best sustainable construction projects in Europe – and awarded the winners about a quarter millions Swiss Francs at the Awards ceremony in Geneva. In his address, Swiss Federal Councillor Joseph Deiss said that sustainability, which has a long tradition in Switzerland, is necessary in all aspects of life, and that economic and ecological priorities are no contradiction.

The project displays innovative spirit in terms of “thinking” sustainable construction, particularly with the imaginative reuse of materials. A high level of integration is achieved by synthesizing materials, products, and existing structures. Also credited is the effort to link decentralized locations as meeting and supply stations within a given urban fabric, a proposal that suggests an intelligent method for conserving resources. Of equal ecological significance is the sensibility concerning land use and environmental impact.

This entry from Switzerland deals with sustainable construction in its very conception. The project is merited for its innovative spirit in rethinking the terms of what constitutes a sustainable environment. The author pursues an integrative approach to design by utilizing available products and existing structures as well as through the reuse of existing materials. This is an intelligent method for conserving resources.