The winners of the 3rd International Holcim Awards competition for sustainable construction projects and visions from North America have been announced. A total of USD 300,000 was presented to ten diverse and innovative projects from Canada and the USA at a ceremony in Washington, DC. The winning projects show how greater levels of sustainability can be reached in building and construction through people-focused designs that include simple adaptation, innovative materials, and clever architecture.

The jury applauds the adaptation of sustainable planning and construction to the military field in general and moreover in this instance for the serious and profound strategy, based on an impressive multidisciplinary research. Due to security requirements, the concept may not yet respond to certain criteria of participatory approaches and the aesthetic approach remains specific to the site’s functionality. However, the jury appreciates the transparency to contribute research findings and exchange them with the civil world of research.

Note regarding prize money

The United States of America Army Corps of Engineers is a public organization and as a consequence is unable to receive incentives of any kind or support any particular charity. The Holcim Foundation will therefore reallocate the appropriate prize sum to fund an additional student research grant in North America.

The Integrated Living Community pilot project for an army base in Missouri is a case study for a 20 year master plan to change the planning of all 280 American military installations to a state of net positive energy, net zero water, and net zero waste. The project reflects the specific requirement of the military in relation to sustainability, with an additional motivation for independent systems to withstand disasters. The research led to a holistic strategy from road planning and master plan level to building design and incorporating a diversification in energy supply, water supply and waste disposal, focusing on reduction and renewable sources.