The Holcim Foundation Awards is the world’s most prestigious competition for sustainable design, offering a total prize pool of USD 1 million. The competition is free to enter and seeks client-supported projects at the late design phase or under construction (but not completed before February 11, 2025).

 

Information & Application Details:

  • Competition Opens: October 1, 2024
  • Competition Closes: February 11, 2025
  • Winners Announced: November 20, 2025 (at the Venice Forum)
  • Total Winners: 20 globally + 5 special recognition prizes
  • Entry Fee: Free

 

Eligibility:

  • Open to client-supported projects in the detailed design phase or under construction.
  • Projects must not be completed before February 11, 2025.
  • Open to all scales and all geographic regions.
  • Project categories include buildings, landscapes, infrastructure, and urban interventions.

 

Theme:

Projects should align with the Holcim Foundation’s sustainable construction goals, including:

  • Uplifting places (cultural and aesthetic value)
  • Healthy planet (environmental responsibility, biodiversity, and energy efficiency)
  • Thriving communities (social impact and participatory design)
  • Viable economics (financial feasibility and longevity)

 

How to Apply:

  1. Complete the online submission at awards.holcimfoundation.org
  2. Submit required documents (see below).

 

Submission Requirements:

Applicants must provide:

  • General project details (title, client, location)
  • Project author details (main and additional authors)
  • Construction status (detailed design, completed design, under construction)
  • Climate and cost-related data
  • Sustainability statement (addressing key sustainability themes)
  • Project images and architectural drawings (mandatory and optional)

 

Selection Process:

  • Submissions are evaluated by expert juries from five global regions:
    • Asia Pacific (chaired by Sou Fujimoto)
    • Europe (Kjetil Thorsen)
    • Latin America (Sandra Barclay)
    • Middle East & Africa (Lina Ghotmeh)
    • North America (Jeanne Gang)
  • Entries are assessed based on their sustainability, innovation, and impact.

 

Awards & Benefits:

  • Total Prize Pool: USD 1 million
  • Regional Prizes: USD 200,000 per region, divided as follows:
    • Four winning projects per region → USD 40,000 each
    • One of the four winners per region → Additional USD 40,000 Special Recognition Prize
  • Winners receive global recognition and are invited to an award ceremony in Venice, Italy (travel & accommodation covered).

 

Contact & Resources:

 

Website link:

https://awards.holcimfoundation.org/home