Entries open in two million dollar sustainable construction competition

4th International Holcim Awards seeks projects and visions that contribute to a more sustainable built environment

TORONTO, July 3, 2013 /CNW/ - 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.

The Holcim Awards (main category) is open to architects, planners, engineers, project owners, builders and construction firms that showcase sustainable responses to technological, environmental, socioeconomic and cultural issues with contemporary building and construction. Projects must have reached an advanced stage of design, have a high probability of execution, and may not have started construction before July 1, 2013.

The competition also seeks visionary projects and bold ideas for the "Next Generation" (young professionals and students category). All authors must be aged between 18 and 30 years of age: (date of birth between July 2, 1982 and March 24, 1996), and the project may not have started construction before July 1, 2013.

Organized by the Swiss-based Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction the competition is conducted in parallel in five regions of the world in 2013/14 followed by a global phase in 2015. Regional winners will be announced at Holcim Awards ceremonies in late 2014 in Moscow (for region Europe), Toronto (North America), Medellín (Latin America), Beirut (Africa Middle East) and Jakarta (Asia Pacific).

10 truly innovative Canadian sustainable construction projects have won in previous award cycles and received support and recognition on the global stage. These include the winning projects "Greening the Infrastructure at Benny Farm" in Montréal, "Living with Lakes" in Sudbury and "Evergreen Brick Works" in Toronto. The Holcim Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the innovative and sustained efforts of Canadian students, architects, engineers and project owners.

Internationally renowned architects and academics in juries
Independent jury panels of experts evaluate all entries against the five "target issues" for sustainable construction which cover economic, social and environmental performance as well as contextual/aesthetic impact, and innovation/transferability. A full list of jury members is available at: www.holcimawards.org/juries

More than 150 prize winning projects over ten years
Previous Holcim Awards prize winners in more than 40 countries range from the provision of basic needs in developing communities through to complex technical solutions. Details about all previous Holcim Awards prize winners are available at: www.holcimfoundation.org/projects-search

The Holcim Foundation is supported by Holcim Ltd and its Group companies in more than 70 countries and is independent of its commercial interests. Holcim is one of the world's leading suppliers of cement and aggregates as well as further activities such as ready-mix concrete and asphalt, including services.

SOURCE: Holcim Canada Inc.