The Holcim Foundation successfully wrapped up its inaugural intensive 2-week global Fellowship in New York City. The Holcim Foundation Fellowship successfully brought together a diverse cohort of 15 Masters students and young professionals and 36 experts in the field of sustainable design and construction from across North America.

Watch the aftermovie to get a glimpse of the experience.

Over the course of two weeks, Fellows participated in a structured program of workshops, lectures, site visits, and collaborative projects hosted by the North American Fellowship’s partner firms: Henning Larsen, Arup, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). Highlights of the program included:

• Workshops on Decarbonization: Led by David Benjamin, these sessions focused on reducing carbon emissions in the built environment. Fellows explored strategies for both building-scale and urban-scale projects.
• Site Visits: Participants toured notable sustainable projects in New York City, including the Bloomberg Center at Cornell Tech, Hunters Point South Park, and the future site of the New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island. They also visited the High Line-Moynihan Connector and Hudson Yards, gaining insight into innovative design and sustainability in action.
• Expert Presentations: Leaders from partnering firms delivered talks on sustainable materials, the circular economy, and social sustainability, sparking interdisciplinary discussions among Fellows and experts.

• Collaborative Projects: Fellows worked on projects addressing specific challenges related to decarbonization and sustainable construction, presenting their innovative solutions to a panel of experts.
• Social Activities and Networking: Beyond the structured sessions, Fellows participated in social events, including group dinners and a guided tour of the Lower East Side by the Tenement Museum, fostering deeper connections and friendships.

The Fellowship delivered several impactful outcomes:

• Enhanced Collaboration: The program’s diversity enabled a rich exchange of ideas, bridging academia and industry, and fostering long-term collaboration among the Fellows and experts.
• Professional Development: Fellows had the chance to network with industry leaders, gaining insights into sustainable construction practices that will shape their future careers.
• Public Talk: Fellows participated in a public talk hosted by the AIA | Center for Architecture in partnership with the Urban Land Institute (ULI). Themed "Decarbonization at Scale", this event featured industry experts involved in the Fellowship, offering a platform for broader discussion on decarbonization.
• Innovative Project Proposals: Each Fellow developed a project focused on a specific challenge related to decarbonization and sustainable construction. These projects were presented to a panel of experts, who provided insightful and constructive feedback, enhancing the Fellows' projects. This exercise gave the Fellows practical experience in applying their knowledge to real-world challenges, emphasizing the importance of integrated solutions in transforming the built environment.

Partnering Firms

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this Fellowship possible, especially our partner firms—Henning Larsen, Arup, and SOM—for generously sharing their expertise, actively engaging in insightful discussions, and guiding our Fellows in expanding their understanding of the possibilities and scales of decarbonization.