USD 220,000 in prize money was awarded to the best entries in the Holcim Awards competition for sustainable construction projects from Latin America. The top prizes went to projects from Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela in a competition that aims to promote sustainable approaches to the built environment. The competition was created by the Swiss-based Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction in collaboration with five of the world’s leading technical universities including the University of São Paulo, Brazil.

The project is merited on the basis of its acute sensitivity to fundamental human needs in developing territories. To be highly commended is the effort to complement the large Brazilian social project of providing cisterns to peasants in the poor and dry semi-arid regions with a small toilet building, which combines a dry latrine, shower and sinks.

This entry from Brazil is merited for its consideration of fundamental human needs in developing regions. Highly commended is the effort to add small toilet facilities to the large Brazilian social project of providing cisterns to peasants in the poor and dry semi-arid regions. Of equal significance is the use of locally available materials for the undertaking. The authors are aware of the need for ecological and economic sustainability in such areas, while exercising respect for local customs and levels of technological skill.