Jury of independent experts selects prize-winning projects for region Asia Pacific in Singapore
The regional jury meetings for the Holcim Foundation Awards 2025 commenced this year in Singapore, bringing together leading professionals in sustainable construction and architectural design to deliberate on the winning projects from Asia Pacific.
The jury (pictured right) was chaired by architect Sou Fujimoto, Founder & Principal, Sou Fujimoto Architects, Japan and included a distinguished panel of experts: Maria Atkinson AM – Chairperson of the Holcim Foundation Board, Sustainability Business Advisor, and Founding CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia; Cyril Giraud – Head of Sustainability, Holcim Australia & New Zealand; Shimul Javeri Kadri – Founding Partner, SJK Architects, India; Ma Yansong – Founder & Principal Partner, MAD Architects, China; Leonard Ng – Country Market Director APAC, Henning Larsen, Singapore; and Theresa Yeung – Director & East Asia Board Member, Arup, Hong Kong.
“It was a very dynamic process, and I enjoyed that.”
Sou Fujimoto (left) commented on the flexible nature of the discussions. He noted that jury members approached the process without fixed opinions, but through open dialogue, gradually deepened their understanding of each project—adjusting their perspectives step-by-step to reach consensus.
The diverse panel brought together deep expertise across architecture, engineering, and sustainable design, assessing projects against the Holcim Foundation’s core principles: uplifting places, a healthy planet, thriving communities, and viable economics.
As part of the gathering, jury members visited examples of sustainable design in Singapore, including Holcim Foundation Awards 2023 winner NUS Yusof Ishak House (pictured, below). The tour, led by architect and professor Erik L’Heureux, highlighted how the project aims to be the first building on the National University of Singapore campus to achieve net-zero energy performance.
“It was a surprising experience—outside it was around 30 degrees and humid, but inside we felt completely comfortable without artificial cooling.”
Sou Fujimoto noted that experiencing this natural climate control first-hand made him consider how such methods could be applied more widely—greatly reducing energy use while enhancing comfort.
The group also toured the WOHA-designed Punggol Digital District (pictured, below), guided by co-founders Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell, who are also former Holcim Foundation Awards prize winners with the groundbreaking BRAC University Campus building in Bangladesh.
The outcomes of the jury deliberations will be celebrated at the Holcim Foundation Awards Ceremony to take place in November in Venice, Italy.
