SPACES feb issue 2017

Interview
of design with high probability of
execution. Authors must be over
18 years of age. Execution of
the project may not have started
before July 4, 2016 which is the
opening date the competition.
• Next Generation (the second
category for young professionals
and students category): In this
category we invite visionary
projects and bold ideas from
authors between 18 and 30 years
of age. Here again execution of
the project (if applicable) may not
have started before July 4, 2016.
The competition is open for registration
until March 21, 2017 at 14:00hrs
(UTC). Entering the Award is very
simple; it is a fully online process with
very user-friendly guidelines at www.
lafargeholcim-awards.org
How do you evaluate
Sustainable Construction?
We use a simple framework that makes
it easy. The LafargeHolcim Foundation
is committed to the underlying
principles of sustainability, which
assert that long-term development
of the built environment requires a
balanced interplay of responsible
economic, ecological, and social
agendas. To achieve this objective,
the Foundation and its partner
universities have identified five “target
issues” that aim to clarify principles
for sustaining the human habitat for
future generations and quantify the
degree to which buildings contribute
to sustainable development:
• Innovation and transferability –
Progress
• Ethical standards and social
inclusion – People
• Resource and environmental
performance – Planet
• Economic viability and
compatibility – Prosperity
• Contextual and aesthetic impact
– Place
These “target issues” serve as
criteria for projects submitted for the
LafargeHolcim Awards and as a road
map for other related activities of the
Foundation.
Who evaluates entries in
the LafargeHolcim Awards?
We have juries in five geographical
regions of the world that consist of
independent, renowned representatives
from science, business and society.
They evaluate entries from the
respective region against the “target
issues” for sustainable construction.
What is your interest in
Nepal? What has been the
response to LafargeHolcim
Awards from Nepal in
previous years?
The Foundation is committed to
pursue non-commercial promotion
and development of sustainable
construction at national, regional,
and global levels. We are supported
by companies of the worldwide
LafargeHolcim group. We do not
have operations in Nepal but are
represented in neighbouring India by
ACC Limited and Ambuja Cements
Limited. We are keen on reaching out
to audiences in Nepal through your
magazine.
We have had participation in
the previous cycle from both
professionals and students in Nepal.
You will be interested to know that the
LafargeHolcim Silver Award for the
region of Asia Pacific was conferred
on the project in a Nepalese village in
the last competition.
Please share details of this
winning entry.
It is the most interesting and socially
relevant project. It is the design of
an orphanage and library submitted
by Hilary Sample of MOS Architects
New York. It is promoted by a young
American, Christopher Gish, who
set up Seeds of Change Foundation
(SOCF).
Designed as a “Ziggurat”, the Lali
Gurans Orphanage and Library is
located in the village of Gagalphedi,
around 10 kilometers in the outskirts of
Kathmandu. The project for a locallyadapted
earthquake resistant structure
addresses the needs of an underserved
rural population with a facility
that uses low-technology, renewable
energy and material resources, local
craftsmanship, and vertical gardens for
insulation and food, thus significantly
reducing operating costs. The project
also addresses the needs of the
nearby communities by offering a
library accessible to the public and a
seismically stable refuge area during
earthquakes.
The Lali Gurans Orphanage building
was still only partially-completed when
the massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake
struck Kathmandu in April 2015 causing
enormous suffering and devastation.
The orphanage’s raft foundation and
its double exoskeleton frame of 300mm
reinforced concrete were designed to
be resilient to powerful earthquakes.
The structure was able to provide a
seismically-stable location with toilets,
water and living area for many local
people who were displaced from their
homes. The orphanage is in need of
funds in the last stage of finishing and
needs financial help to complete it.
What, according to you,
is the significance of
sustainable construction in
a country like Nepal?
I think the significance is immense
particularly as yours is a country in a
seismically sensitive region. I know
you are blessed with natural resources
like water but the benefits of promoting
sustainability in construction in a
developing economy like yours are
substantial. Again, contributing to the
built environment means respecting a
balance between social, environmental
and economic issues. Sustainable
construction is not a rocket science; it
is an expression of common sense to
improve the lives of people! •
48 / SPACES February 2017