Durabric: LafargeHolcim's affordable, sustainable and reliable building material solution

Durabric is a low-carbon compressed earth and cement solution developed for the construction of affordable housing. Durabric achieves its performance without the intensive use of firewood or other fuel, and is a sustainable alternative to traditional clay bricks. Designed for affordable and environment-friendly housing in cities and rural areas, Durabric is currently used in 8 countries (Malawi, Tanzania, Madagascar, Cameroon, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria and Indonesia).

Learn more about Durabric

Learn more about LafargeHolcim's affordable housing solutions

The Venice Architecture Biennale 2016 opens to the public on May 28 and this year's theme, 'Reporting from the Front', is a bid to encourage architects to address some of the most important global issues. How can LafargeHolcim's solutions provide a tangible response to this socially-driven call-to-action? We teamed up with architecture star Norman Foster, leading universities and building materials researchers to create the world's first 'Droneport.'

Combining LafargeHolcim's building materials expertise with state-of-the-art architecture

Lord Foster initiated the project with the idea to build modular ports that would serve as a base for drones responsible for delivering cargo and medical supplies quickly and cost effectively. By providing an alternative to road and railway systems, the 'Droneport' is designed to allow communities previously held back by lack of resources and/or geographical challenges to accelerate their development. As a key player in infrastructure construction, LafargeHolcim couldn't help but be interested in contributing to this unique project. The team from the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction reached out to the Norman Foster Foundation to suggest using Durabric, our compressed earth and cement solution.

Our know-how proved crucial to the project. The challenge was to create small, lightweight bricks that could withstand structural pressure as well as rain exposure. Our R&D teams developed 18,000 customized Durabric tilesto construct the 'Droneport' prototype vault at the Norman Foster Foundation Pavilion. The collaboration showcases the versatility of Durabric and how it can be used as a solution to a wider range of social and development issues.

Learn more about LafargeHolcim at the Norman Foster Foundation Pavilion

Norman Foster's vision of a Droneport network combines the dynamic futurism of drone technology with low-tech buildings using local materials and 800-year-old building techniques. Watch the 'Making of' story:

LafargeHolcim Ltd. published this content on 27 May 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 27 May 2016 13:25:03 UTC.

Original documenthttp://www.lafargeholcim.com/lafargeholcim-partners-norman-foster-debut-droneport-15th-architecture-biennale-venice

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