Holcim Vietnam is one of partners building Phu My Bridge. Photo mianco.com.vn

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The 4th International Holcim Awards is seeking projects and visions that contribute to a more sustainably-built environment.

The competition, offering a total of US$2 million in prize money, opened to entries yesterday.

Seeking leading projects from industry professionals and bold ideas from the "Next Generation" that contribute to sustainability within architecture, building, civil engineering, landscape and urban design, as well as construction materials and technologies, the competition is expected to be a close-fought contest.

Entries must be submitted online at www.holcimawards.org by March 24, 2014.

The Holcim Awards (main category) is open to architects, planners, engineers, project owners, builders and construction firms that showcase sustainable responses to technological, environmental, socioeconomic and cultural issues with contemporary building and construction.

Projects must have reached an advanced stage of design, have a high probability of execution and cannot have started construction before July 1, 2013.

The competition also seeks visionary projects and bold ideas for the "Next Generation" (young professionals and students category). All authors must be aged between 18 and 30 years of age: (date of birth between July 2, 1982 and March 24, 1996), and again, the project must not have started construction before July 1, 2013.

Independent jury panels of experts evaluate all entries against the five "target issues" for sustainable construction which cover economic, social and environmental performance as well as contextual/aesthetic impact, and innovation/transferability. The juries are headed by Jean-Philippe Vassal (for Europe region), Toshiko Mori (North America), Bruno Stagno (Latin America), Howayda Al-Harithy (Africa Middle East) and Rahul Mehrotra (Asia Pacific). — VNS