Fifth International LafargeHolcim Forum

Words: Margaret FosterCreating awareness and promoting excellence in sustainable construction since 2003, the LafargeHolcim Foundation is proud to announce the start of its next round of activities.

Infrastructure Space is the topic of the 5th International LafargeHolcim Forum for Sustainable Construction. The academic symposium takes place in Detroit, USA in April 2016.

Following the merger of Lafarge and Holcim to form the world leader in the building materials industry, the 5th cycle of initiatives of the former Holcim Foundation will take place under the name of the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction.

LafargeHolcim fully endorses the Foundation’s non-commercial focus on advancing sustainable responses to the technological, environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural issues affecting building and construction. The Group has a global presence in 90 countries, enabling the Foundation to promote the application of sustainable construction practices even more widely and to enhance the quality of life.

The 5th International LafargeHolcim Awards for projects and visions in sustainable construction will open for submissions in July 2016. The Awards entries are evaluated by independent juries in five regions of the world, and the competition offers USD 2 million for a total of 59 prizes on regional and global levels.

More information can be found at www.lafargeholcim-awards.org.

The 5th International LafargeHolcim Forum will take place in Detroit, USA in April 2016 and is dedicated to “Infrastructure Space”. The three-day academic event includes keynote speeches by renowned experts, and four concurrent workshops that encourage debates on topics such as absorbing contemporary technologies, toolsets for urban infrastructure, the politics of environmental ecologies, and exploring patterns of worldwide urbanization.

View LafargeHolcim Forum program and registration details at www.lafargeholcim-foundation.org.
Designing Masonry Openings Without Compromising Aesthetics
July 2026

One of masonry's greatest strengths is its ability to create visually striking architecture. From arches and deep reveals to decorative brick detailing, masonry provides texture, depth, and character that continue to inspire architects today. As buildin

Restoring the Breath of the Building: The Life-Saving Science Behind Historic Masonry Repairs
July 2026

When I first set out to become a historic preservation and restoration mason, I imagined that most of my trade would involve repairing the effects of old age. Instead, 99 percent of my work is attempting to stabilize and reverse damage caused by recent an

Laying the Foundation for the Future: Workforce Development at the Arizona Masonry Council
July 2026

For generations, masonry has been built on a simple but powerful principle: knowledge passed from one set of hands to the next. In Arizona, the Arizona Masonry Council (AMC) is working to ensure that tradition continues by investing in one of the industr

Preserving Masonry Aesthetics with Concealed Lintel Systems
July 2026

Masonry has long been valued for its ability to create buildings with character, permanence, and visual appeal. Features such as arches, deep reveals, corbelling, and decorative brickwork continue to be popular design elements in modern architecture. Howe