Sustainable construction
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Specific needs

A country's geography, culture and level of development directly influence types and methods of construction. Lafarge adapts its international development to these specific needs.

Challenge #5: multimodal approaches and optimal solutions

Lafarge is present in 78 countries across 5 continents and adapts its commercial strategy and product range to the wide range of needs. A number of factors need to be taken into account, in particular:

  • unexpected climatic and geographical phenomenon (frost, rain, earth tremors, etc.),
  • cultural customs relating to construction,
  • the country's level of economic development,
  • availability of resources.

 
With the exception of major world cities, interest in eco-design is not as advanced in India, China or Kenya, for example. The Group's solutions and research take these distinctions into account and reconcile social and environmental concerns.

Low-cost construction products and programs have been developed which do not compromise quality or environmental concerns. These include:

  • A special range of 6mm plasterboard for low-cost construction needs in Mexico and South Africa.
  • A low-cost housing program incorporating environmental concerns in India.
  • The "Eco-City" Project, in partnership with WWF and local NGOs in a deprived South African suburb. Lafarge donated the 300 tons of cement and 70m³ of concrete to build around 30 low-cost homes incorporating passive solar heating, recovery of rainwater and use of recycled materials.
Affordable Housing for Masses project, India

Last update on 03/30/2010

Customized solutions

Carmen Santana Serra, architect, Archikubik

Carmen Santana Serra, architect, Archikubik:

"In Barcelona, we are building a school. A series of high-spec pillars provide a structure and act as ducts for pipes, creating a consistent layout. The pillars were due to be poured on site, but after a meeting with Lafarge, we studied the possibility of using Ductal®. This is completely innovative in Spain. Aware of the added value - both technological and aesthetic - represented by the material, the project manager did not oppose this solution.

Lafarge’s priorities on the ground

Livia Tirone, architect

Livia Tirone, architect, member of the stakeholder panel:

"Lafarge's successes on the ground demonstrate that even the largest organizations are able to transform and adapt to social and environmental challenges. Looking at the future, I wish cement and concrete come to be considered as essential elements of sustainable construction, integrated in solutions adapted to local climate and culture, bringing benefits to people in the markets Lafarge is active in."

Our solutions to this challenge

Testimonial 1 : Wab® gypsum system: not afraid of water

Wab® plasterboard, Richard Hawkes, architect

The whole Wab® construction system offers very high resistance to water and humidity. Designed to build partitions in humid environments, it is also suitable for designing covered external ceilings. Wab® retains its level of performance and aesthetic qualities whatever the atmospheric humidity.
Easy to install and compatible with other plasterboard systems, it can be stored in the open air for 6 months without damage: a great quality for building sites.


Testimonial 2 : Durabat®: the cement solution for difficult environments

Durabat®: the cement solution for difficult environments

Building materials are sometimes used in particularly difficult environments: aggressive, unstable or damp soils, drainage water, extreme climate conditions, etc.
Designed mainly for tradesmen and small companies, Durabat® cement makes it possible to lay foundations in difficult ground in contact with:

  • dirty or corrosive water in aquacultural, oyster farming or wine growing environments,
  • liquid manures in an agricultural environment.

Testimonial 3 : PLAtec®: customized low-cost decoration

PLAtec® used in the Quai Branly’s museum, Paris, France

PLAtec® is a range of gypsum products for interior design. These gypsum products, exclusive to Lafarge, are prefabricated to order according to the customer's specifications. They can be used to create decorative elements and design unusual interior spaces, pillars, structures, friezes for suspended ceilings, etc.
PLAtec® solutions offer many advantages in addition to this great creative freedom, such as simplicity of installation, control, etc. And all for a much lower cost than producing equivalent elements directly onsite.


Testimonial 4 : Architectonic concrete: for seismic areas

Ocho al Cubo, Chile, architectonic concrete

Seismic areas also deserve beautifully designed structures.
The Ocho al Cubo project in Chile demonstrates the progress made by Lafarge in terms of sustainable construction. Leading Chilean architects were asked to design their ideal home, in the luxurious setting of the Marbella beach resort. This produced vast white houses in an eclectic range of styles. They had one aspect in common however: the architectonic concrete supplied by Lafarge Premix (more than 2,500m³).
As a result of the project, Lafarge has established itself as the leader for architectonic concrete and paved the way for exceptional projects.


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Low-energy housing

Take the owner's tour!
Combining 20 sustainable construction rules with innovative solutions produced by Lafarge's R&D, low-energy housing is explained in this flash animation. From the foundations and the exterior to the insulation and the interior - see how a low-energy house is created!