UIA ties up with Holcim awards

The global Holcim Awards for architects, engineers and related professions will raise its profile through closer ties to the UIA network of national architects' associations.

The awards aim to progressively form a global community of recognised practitioners of excellence in sustainable construction.

The competition celebrates ground-breaking and more sustainable approaches to designing and building houses, working environments and infrastructure, and also includes a "next-generation" category for young professionals to develop "blue sky" concepts that point the way to the future.

"The Holcim Foundation is delighted to collaborate with the UIA," Holcim Foundation management board chairman Markus Akermann said.

"Sustainable construction is important for everyone in terms of environmental, economic and social progress. Together, we will strive to find opportunities at the design and construction phases of building projects to really make a difference and multiply the best practice."

UIA immediate past president Gaëtan Siew said, "The UIA has been interested in the activities of the Holcim Foundation since it was established.

"The Holcim Awards has a high degree of independence and credibility that meet the competition standards set by the UIA," he said.

The UIA Working Programme on sustainable architecture helps the profession in making an effective contribution to sustainability on the local and global scale - and makes architectural expertise available to ensure sustainability.

The Holcim Foundation is eager to contribute to the programme to provide practising architects and related professionals with access to information and continuing education on the issues of sustainability.

The UIA is the world's leading global network dedicated to the architectural profession and has grown to encompass the key professional organisations of architects in more than 120 countries, representing above 1.4 million architects worldwide.

The Holcim Foundation will announce the winners of the regional phase of the Holcim Awards later this year.

The regional Holcim Awards gold, silver and bronze winners will automatically qualify for the global awards to be announced in the middle of next year.