HOLCIM FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION

Created by Holcim in 2003, the Holcim Foundation was one of the first organizations to define and promote the key principles of sustainability for the built environment. Today, the independent nonprofit organization is more committed than ever to ensuring that leading-edge thinking and best practice solutions are placed in everyone's hands. Its mission is to support people who are change accelerators for sustainable construction.

Supporting Change Accelerators

The Holcim Foundation fulfills its mission through a range of activities designed to foster the exchange of ideas and best practices across regions and generations. These include the Holcim Foundation Awards – the world’s most significant competition for sustainable design. In addition to its flagship awards program, the Foundation partners with academics and industry-leading practitioners to create educational opportunities and organizes events to facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices.

Impact

With more than 350 project teams recognized by the Holcim Foundation Awards, 300+ experts actively contributing as juries or speakers, and 200 next-generation professionals supported through different initiatives, combined with a digital audience of 80,000 across social media and newsletters, the Foundation builds bridges across regions, disciplines, and career stages to accelerate the movement for a sustainable built environment.

The Foundation’s Vision

The Holcim Foundation envisions a urgently transformed construction sector that takes responsibility for creating a sustainable, regenerative built environment — one that uplifts places, protects the planet, ensures viable economics, and fosters thriving communities.

OUR MISSION

We build and support a community of architects, designers, and engineers — gathering and sharing knowledge, connecting industry pioneers, and amplifying the most innovative solutions.

Holcim Foundation Awards

The world’s most significant competition for sustainable design, with total prize money of USD 1 million, celebrates 20 winning projects across 5 regions. With close to 30,000 entries received from 130 countries over the past two decades, the Holcim Foundation Awards have a significant reach and impact. More than 350 projects have been recognized across the world, and three winning project authors have become Pritzker Architecture Prize laureates.

Discover the Holcim Foundation Awards

Holcim Foundation Fellowship

The Fellowship program, spanning diverse regions, stands as a cornerstone initiative empowering the next generation of building practitioners to become impactful voices of change. The in-person intensive courses cultivate learning from in-design, in-construction and in-use projects, while shining light on best practices that are both regionally specific and globally transferable.

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Global Events & Publications

Through curated events and compelling publications, we ensure knowledge reaches everyone who needs it. The Holcim Foundation Forum is our flagship event, gathering leading voices from across disciplines to address the most pressing challenges facing the built environment.

BROWSE CURRENT AND PAST EVENTS

Accelerating the global movement for sustainable construction

Holcim Foundation Awards 2025 Ceremony, Venice

Twenty winning teams from five global regions gather to celebrate exemplary projects in sustainable design and construction.

Holcim Foundation Forum 2025, Venice

Under the theme: Retreat, Resist, Respond, 120+ experts gathering in Venice to address one of our era's most urgent challenges: how to build and support flood-resilient cities and communities.

Unearthing Futures — Holcim Foundation Fellowship, Mexico City

In collaboration with UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México)

Fellows examined ways to integrate local materials, indigenous knowledge, and interdisciplinary approaches to address Latin America's unique socioeconomic, political and environmental challenge.

Innovating Tomorrow's Resilience — Holcim Foundation Fellowship, London

In collaboration with University College London

Using the London Plan as a basis, Fellows investigated the implications of advanced planning frameworks for equitable, low-carbon urban transformation.