4th Holcim Forum “Economy of Sustainable Construction”

Securing a sustainable future aligned with viable economics

  • 4th Holcim Forum 2013 - Economy of Sustainable Construction

    Group photo – The Holcim Forum on the theme of “Economy of Sustainable Construction” was attended by academics and professionals from architecture, civil engineering, urban planning, natural and social sciences, as well as representatives from business, politics, administration and civil society.

  • 4th Holcim Forum 2013 - Economy of Sustainable Construction

    Sir David Chipperfield, Principal of David Chipperfield Architects, based in London, UK delivering his keynote speech at the 4th Holcim Forum 2013 in Mumbai, India.

  • 4th Holcim Forum 2013 - Economy of Sustainable Construction

    Lucas Bretschger – Professor of Economics, ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Director of CER-ETH, the Center for Economic Research at ETH & a member of the Advisory Body on Climate Change to the Swiss government.

  • 4th Holcim Forum 2013 - Economy of Sustainable Construction

    Alejandro Aravena delivering his keynote address at the 4th Holcim Forum in Mumbai, India, 2013.

  • 4th Holcim Forum 2013 - Economy of Sustainable Construction

    Brinda Somaya – Architect and urban conservationist from Mumbai, India – Principal Architect and Managing Director at Somaya and Kalappa Consultants; founding trustee of the HECAR Foundation; and advocate of the work of women architects in South Asia.

  • 4th Holcim Forum 2013 - Economy of Sustainable Construction

    Concluding debate discussing workshop findings (l-r): Rolf Soiron (moderator, Switzerland), Ashok Lall (India), Werner Sobek (Germany), Nirmal Kishnani (Singapore) & Marc Angélil (Switzerland/USA).

Holcim Forum attended by about 350 representatives of various industries and disciplines from around 40 countries. It includes an array of photos of participants and from the four Forum workshops – improvement of informal settlements, densification, urban metabolism, and gains delivered by sustainable buildings – where participants exchanged their ideas and took part in topic-related excursions to sites in the city of Mumbai. Keynote speakers at the Forum included Sir David Chipperfield, a multiple award winning architect, Principal of David Chipperfield Architects, based in London, UK; Alejandro Aravena, architect and Executive Director of Elemental based in Santiago, Chile; Lucas Bretschger, economist and Professor of Economics, ETH Zurich, Switzerland; and Brinda Somaya, architect and urban conservationist from Mumbai, India; Principal Architect and Managing Director at Somaya and Kalappa Consultants.

350

experts

40

countries

55

keynotes and workshop sessions

Speakers

Workshop presenters, moderators & panelists

Workshops

Student poster competition

Publication

Forum 2013 – Economy of Sustainable Construction – Mumbai (Ruby Press)

The Economy of Sustainable Construction examines how sustainability can deliver a robust response to fiscal challenges. The book evaluates current architectural practices and models, and also introduces materials and methods to maximize the environmental, social, and economic performance of buildings.

Contained within its 400 pages are essays, reports, and case studies that examine the relationship between commercial and sustainable values, and explore the paths that construction will take in the 21st century. The Economy of Sustainable Construction points out the urgency of adapting more sustainable construction practices and buildings in the light of rapid urbanization, the vast growths of today’s giant cities, the sluggish economy, and burgeoning climate issues.