Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction

We are excited to have partnered with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) for a sold-out Holcim Foundation Fellowship Talk on "Decarbonization at Scale". Felix A. Ciampa, Executive Director of ULI New York, and Laura Viscovich, Executive Director of the Holcim Foundation, kicked off the event by highlighting our shared commitment to decarbonization, knowledge sharing, and excellence. The talk featured a dynamic panel of sustainable design and construction experts: Chas Peppers from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Dan Brodkin from Arup, Kritika Kharbanda from Henning Larsen, and Saba Carmel Meidany from the Holcim Foundation. Key topics included: - The role of the next generation in driving change - Collaboration and breaking down silos across the industry - Knowledge transfer and scaling innovations - Addressing risk aversion in the industry - Decarbonization goals in developed vs. developing countries David Benjamin, a previous Holcim Foundation Award Winner, moderated the discussion and left us with a powerful takeaway: “Anything we do is going to have risks [...] we need to develop the intelligence and creativity of balancing the risks of one option versus another option.” A heartfelt thank you to all attendees, including our first North America Fellowship cohort, and to AIA New York | Center for Architecture for hosting this inspiring event!

Wrapping Up the Holcim Foundation Fellowship with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) The last four days of the North America Fellowship were inspiring at SOM’s office at 7 World Trade Center. We dove into presentations and discussions on cutting-edge topics like Urban Sequoia, Generative Justice, Future Materials, Mass Timber in Construction, and Operational Carbon Management. #Presentation: Each of the 15 fellows worked on a final project to scale up an existing decarbonization effort. These projects were presented to industry and academic experts, who provided valuable feedback, helping the fellows reflect on their personal and professional growth throughout the program with Henning Larsen, Arup, and SOM. #Sitevisits: The fellows visited some of the iconic projects by SOM, including Governor’s Island, to explore the #NewYorkClimateExchange plan, the #HighLine - Moynihan Connector Bridge, and #OneWorldTradeCenter. We’re incredibly proud of our 15 North American fellows and look forward to continuing this knowledge exchange in the next fellowship for Latin America in January 2025!

Free Webinar on Urban Biodiversity. In the 8th webinar of the Awards Webinar series, we'll discuss the shift from a #biophilic design to a #biocentric approach in landscape urbanism. Hear from our award winners, Neil Davidson (Urban Nature Project, UK) and Carlos Zarco Sanz (Stream Co-habitat, Turkey), on how to design green and blue systems in cities to enhance biodiversity, restore habitats, and connect people with nature. 📅 September 3, 2024 @ 15:00 CET 📍 Register to attend: https://lnkd.in/eERsa8jf 🔍 What you will learn: - Integrating the social and the ecological calls for a new prism on urbanism. How are the two integrated at the drawing board? - Who speaks for nature at the drawing board? Who is the “voice” of flora and fauna? - How are these spaces sustained? Who manages them? What is the key to long-term success? 🎤 Speakers: - Neil Davidson, Landscape Architect & Partner, J&L Gibbons - Carlos Zarco Sanz, Architect & Founding Partner, openact architecture - Moderated by Nirmal Kishnani, Editor-in-Chief, Ecogradia

🌍 Second Stop: North America Holcim Foundation Fellowship at ARUP! 🏗️ Our 15 fellows spent three impactful days at Arup, diving deep into sustainable design. We discussed key topics like resilience, historic preservation, circular deconstruction, and building envelope sustainability, all while exploring net-zero strategies and regenerative practices. A highlight was the surprise visit from Fiona Cousins, Chair of Arup Americas, sharing her vision for a sustainable future. We also hosted insightful virtual lectures from Vincent Martinez (Architecture 2030) and Lindsay Baker (International Living Future Institute). Their work is pivotal in advancing sustainable practices - Vincent is driving the global shift toward zero-carbon buildings through data-driven strategies, while Lindsey is leading efforts to create healthier, more resilient built environments. #Sitevisits to Hunters Point South Park, and the Bloomberg Center at Cornell Tech rounded out our experience with practical insights and team bonding. We’re excited to continue this collaborative journey toward a more sustainable future - stay tuned for more updates! #Decarbonization #SustainableArchitecture #SustainableConstruction #Fellowship #Education

Here are some great examples of #biocentric public spaces. These Holcim Awards-winning projects are redefining public spaces. They're not just green spaces satisfying the social and recreational needs of citizens; they're carbon-capturing, habitat-restoring, and biodiversity-boosting havens. Which project inspires you the most? Let us know in the comments! 🌿 1_Resource Circulation in France by FUSO, HAME, BOM architecture, Ingerop, Ecic, LS Landscape https://lnkd.in/dshvY9nP 2_Propagated Sanctuary in Vietnam by ODDO architects https://lnkd.in/dgQP8Fbr 3_Stream Co-Habitat in Turkey by openact architecture https://lnkd.in/d5eKGxAC 4_Urban Nature Project in the United Kingdom by J&L Gibbons, Feilden Fowles, Natural History Museum https://lnkd.in/etFBWxHt 5_Wetland Vitality in Colombia by CONNATURAL https://lnkd.in/dr2yhP-z 6_The Dryline (BIG U), New York City by BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group https://lnkd.in/d_78hjm7 7_Park Evolution in Argentina by lesch. alfaro https://lnkd.in/dKUshPaa #BiocentricDesign #SustainableSpaces #HolcimAwards #LandscapeArchitecture #UrbanDesign #Sustainability

🌟 Kicking Off the North America Holcim Foundation Fellowship at Henning Larsen! Last week, our 15 fellows connected with incredible minds and explored groundbreaking projects shaping sustainable construction. Henning Larsen’s talented architects and designers hosted us for #seminars and #discussions on “Decarbonization at Scale,” covering key topics such as Social sustainability in design, Carbon calculation, Unboxing carbon, Architecture competitions, and the Possibilities of AI. In return, our cohort’s questions sparked valuable discussions, enriching the experience for everyone. #Sitevisit highlights included an architectural tour through lower Manhattan and a visit to the Parsons Healthy Materials Lab, revealing the future of sustainable and healthy building materials. We’re excited for what’s ahead and grateful for the connections and knowledge already gained. Stay tuned for more updates! Find out more at https://lnkd.in/e8rSm-MA 💡 The Holcim Foundation Fellowship aims to create unique moments to learn together from recently built projects and to challenge existing modes of practice. This in-person intensive two-week course seeks to foster a curiosity and solutions-driven mindset through a series of actions - open dialogue, consultation, exploration, and reflection - and to create a dynamic feedback loop that leads to transferable and scalable outcomes. #Decarbonization #SustainableArchitecture #SustainableConstruction #Fellowship #Education Melanie Schwarz

☀️ Summer is here in the northern hemisphere. With temperatures soaring, let’s dive into some sustainable design strategies that help keep buildings cool without consuming excessive energy. We examine the main strategies for passive cooling: shading, convection cooling, evaporative cooling, radiative cooling, geo-cooling, and greening - illustrated with innovative examples from previous winners of the Holcim Foundation Awards competition. 💬 What’s your favorite cooling idea? Let us know in the comments! 1_Empowering the Homeless in the Philippines by BillionBricks 2_Articulated Site in Colombia by Colectivo 720 3_Development Alternatives in India by Ashok B Lall Architects 4_White Canvas in Mauritania by ArchSus Group 5_Energy-Efficient Center in Brazil by Shieh Arquitetos Associados 6_Eco-Techno Park in Türkiye by ONZ Architects 🔗 Read more about the strategies & projects https://lnkd.in/eqrR7JDk #passivecooling #greenbuilding #energyefficient #sustainablearchitecture #sustainabledesign #HolcimAwards #HolcimFoundationAwards #architecture

Starting today in New York City, 15 talented young professionals selected for the Holcim Foundation Fellowship will come together to explore the theme “Decarbonization at Scale.” Selected from an outstanding pool of candidates from Canada and the United States, this vibrant group unites professionals from architecture, engineering, real estate, urban planning, and landscape architecture. The program includes two-week intensive in-person course in New York City that empowers students to bridge education and the practice of sustainable construction. Curious to learn more? Join us on August 14th as panelists involved in the Fellowship, including Kritika Kharbanda, Head of Sustainability, will discuss strategies for scaling up from individual projects to global impact and the role of emerging professionals in driving the necessary transformation. The event will be held together with ULI New York at the Center for Architecture in NYC at 5:30pm. Find more details about the event here https://hnglr.sn/3WP1GQs. The Holcim Foundation Fellowship, happening in New York City from August 5-16, 2024, is in collaboration with Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction, Arup, Henning Larsen, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM).

Join us in NYC for this special event in collaboration with ULI New York as part of our North America Fellowship program. This event, open to all, will showcase the achievements of our 15 talented fellows and include a dynamic panel discussion on "Decarbonization at Scale". Panelist Dan Brodkin, Principal at Arup Kritika Kharbanda, Head of Sustainability at Henning Larsen Chas Peppers, Venture Architect at SOM Saba Carmel Meidany, Program Manager at the Holcim Foundation Moderator David Benjamin, Associate Professor at Columbia GSAPP These industry experts and their partners from Arup, Henning Larsen, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) will offer lectures, workshops, and discussions designed to inspire and challenge the fellows during the two-week intensive course. 📅 August 14, 2024 📍 AIA New York | Center for Architecture ✅ Free & in-person event. Register to attend: https://lnkd.in/gmiE2BPA

We’re excited to hold our first webinar in Spanish! Next up – on the topic Urban Regeneration – we’ll chat with two Holcim Awards 2023 winners from Mexico and Colombia. Utopia Estrella Iztapalapa project in Mexico is transforming a former landfill into an eco-social hub that supports a neighborhood that presently lacks public facilities. Memories of Water project in Colombia aims to create an amphibious park system to reinvigorate the floodplains of Rionegro, which have deteriorated due to poor urban planning, and provide the city with a living waterfront. Join the webinar to learn from leading practitioners on urban regeneration and the role of water in a regenerative approach. 📅 Aug 6, 2024, 15:00 CET 📍 Register to attend: https://lnkd.in/eWZxHhBc 🌐 Language: Spanish What you will learn: - What is urban regeneration? Why is the role of water in a regenerative approach? - Who are the different stakeholders in large urban interventions such as these? Are their respective needs in sync or at odds with the others? - How do we design with water? In what ways does hydrology inform urban and architectural form? Speakers: - Laura Urueña Serna - Principal, Geografica Sur - Juan Carlos Cano - Co-founder, Cano Vera Arquitectura - Moderated by Andrés Ramirez, Urban Planning Scholar