LafargeHolcim stakes $2m on construction competition

• Seeks smart solutions for cities, built environment
To tackle challenges bordering on increasing urbanisation and need to improve quality of life, Lafarge Africa Plc, has unveiled a $2-million sustainable construction competition to provide smart solutions for cities and the environment.

Indeed, the firm is set to mobilise professionals in Nigeria’s construction sector and students to participate in the 5th International LafargeHolcim awards.

The LafargeHolcim awards is a significant global competition in sustainable design which request leading projects of professionals as well as bold ideas from the Next Generation that combine sustainable construction solutions with architectural excellence.

Speaking recently, the Lafarge Africa Plc’s Group Managing Director, Michel Puchercos, said the company is pleased to showcase Nigeria’s professionals and students in this competition for the first time after the global merger, as a demonstration his belief in their competence and ability to compete favourably with their counterparts across the globe.

He added that the competition is a great opportunity for Nigerian professionals to bridge the gap between local with international standards in order to build a stronger Nigeria safely, ethically and sustainably through innovative construction solutions.

Puchercos urged all eligible engineers, architects, builders, planners, construction firms, project owners, students and NGOs to avail themselves of the opportunity to make a mark in the global construction space, while assuring that there will be more engagements with the target audience in the next few weeks.
He said the project and its concept is targeted at architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, planning, technology, and civil and materials engineering. Eligible participants are encouraged to apply online in the USD$ 2 million Awards competition, which opened on Monday July 4, 2016 and closes for submissions on March 21, 2017.

“Participants up to the age of 30 years of age can also submit visionary concepts and bold ideas in the competition, irrespective of the probability of actual implementation of the project: the Next Generation category specifically seeks “blue-sky” solutions by students and young professionals,”

The competition holds in the five geographic regions where LafargeHolcim operates – Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Middle East and Afica .The winners will be announced in the second half of 2017. Winners will automatically qualify for the global Awards competition in 2018. Past winners included a Nigerian, Kunle Adeyemi, who won with his Chicoco Radio project entry in Port Harcourt.

Entry in the competition is free. A comprehensive “Step-by-step” guide explains the evaluation criteria in detail and gives instructions on how to prepare an entry at

www.lafargeholcim-awards.org.