Holcim and the Norman Foster Foundation have struck a partnership to rethink emergency shelters to turn them into sustainable and resilient homes.
Holcim will use its expertise in low-carbon innovative concrete-based solutions and affordable housing to design a concept for building 1,000 shelters and a medical facility in one day, according to a news release. The goal is to offer dignified and resilient accommodation to the world’s growing number of displaced people.
The collaboration will begin with a one-week workshop in June in Madrid, Spain. The aim is to create affordable shelters capable of disassembly, reuse, and recycling. Holcim will use its experience in building affordable housing and on innovations such as low-carbon concrete, lightweight prefabricated support structures, and green cements for soil stabilization. Holcim built Africa’s largest 3D-printed affordable housing project in Kenya, developed by its joint venture 14Trees in partnership with CDC Group, the UK’s development finance institution.
“Currently we have over 80 million people who have been forced to flee their homes around the world,” said Jan Jenisch, CEO, Holcim. “Emergency shelters can be more than just a roof over their head—they should offer people the dignity and safety of a home. We are excited to collaborate with the Norman Foster Foundation to put our solutions as well as our expertise in affordable housing to work to achieve this goal.”
Related Stories
Building Team | Oct 5, 2021
With billions in play, AEC groups make the case for 'buildings as infrastructure'
The Senate took a major step forward in August, passing the $1 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
AEC Business Innovation | Sep 28, 2021
Getting diversity, equity, and inclusion going in AEC firms
As a professional services organization built on attracting the best and brightest talent, VIATechnik relies on finding new ways to do just that. Here are some tips that we’ve learned through our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) journey.
Building Team | Sep 21, 2021
Pritzker Military Museum & Library announces finalist for Cold War Veterans Memorial
Four finalists will move to Stage II.
Building Team | Sep 6, 2021
A biopharma fitout in Colorado showcases one AEC firm’s Integrated Project Delivery approach
CRB Group supplements its own services with as-needed outside expertise.
| Jul 13, 2021
Don't sell services when clients want outcomes: Evaluating + investing resources to navigate past the COVID-19 pandemic
As AEC firm leaders consider worst-case scenarios and explore possible solutions to surmount them, they learn to become nimble, quick, and ready to pivot as circumstances demand.
Building Team | Jun 29, 2021
AGC and Autodesk launch media library to boost representation of diversity in construction
Images readily available for editorial use showcase women and people of color in construction to increase visibility in industry media coverage.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 3, 2021
Student Housing Trends 2021-2022
In this exclusive video interview for HorizonTV, Fred Pierce, CEO of Pierce Education Properties, developer and manager of off-campus student residences, chats with Rob Cassidy, Editor, MULTIFAMILY Design + Construction about student housing during the pandemic and what to expect for on-campus and off-campus housing in Fall 2021 and into 2022.
Building Team | Apr 15, 2021
Owners, AEC firms primed for real collaboration
Survey findings point to a growing demand for collaboration and partnership during these chaotic times.
Building Team | Mar 3, 2021
To pivot or not to pivot: Resourceful solutions in a time of challenge
Like swerving to avoid oncoming traffic, over the last year, AEC companies have navigated the unexpected roadblocks presented by a challenging economy.
Building Team | Aug 21, 2020
A healthcare project in Wisconsin benefits from including MEP subs in early design discussions
Prefabrication played a major role in quickening construction.
