Canadian project takes gold in Holcim Awards North America

Toronto, Ont. – A project to develop regional food-gathering nodes and a logistics network in the arctic has won the top prize in the third International Holcim Awards.

The awards recognize sustainable construction projects and visions from across North America. This year 10 diverse projects from Canada and the U.S. were recognized for their innovation, and awarded a total of US$300,000.

This year’s top prize went to an infrastructure project by Toronto-based Lateral Office/InfraNet Lab, for the Arctic Food Network

Land/water sites for the Arctic Food Network in winter.

(AFN) based in Iqaluit, Nunavut. The network of farms, freezers and camp hubs establishes mobility between Inuit communities, allowing for better distribution of local foods, while serving as a series of bases for traditional hunting. In addition, the project helps build a sustainable, more independent economy, while creating a new model for cold climate survival.

Arctic food distribution

“We are truly honoured to have the Arctic Food Network project recognized and win the gold prize at the Holcim Awards for the region of North America,” says Mason White, an architect at Lateral Office/InfraNet Lab. “The issue of food security needs a lot of attention and by winning this prestigious award, the project will receive greater recognition and visibility.”

The Switzerland-based Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction runs the competition in five regions worldwide. This year there were more than 6,000 submissions for projects in 146 countries.

Pictured above: Lateral Office/InfraNet Lab was the winner of the Holcim Awards Gold 2011 North America for their Arctic Food network. Accepting the award were (left to right) Lola Sheppard, Nikole Bouchard, Fionn Byrne and Mason White.