Months ago we heard news of the “nation’s first carbon-positive hotel”—a 13-floor, 130-000-sf cement tower with a triangular layout and eye-shaped windows. Populus, designed by Studio Gang and developed by Urban Villages, broke ground in Denver, Colo., last year with plans to be operational by summer 2024. What makes Populus a carbon-positive project is a collection of variables, from minimizing waste to using fewer finish materials. But there’s one huge driver behind the green initiative: sustainable concrete.
ECOPact is an optimized, low-carbon concrete made from large amounts of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM). With lower embodied carbon content compared to conventional concrete, ECOPact aims to be an attractive alternative for sustainability-driven engineers.
Sustainable concrete: ECOPact
Designed by Holcim, a sustainable building materials supplier, ECOPact offers a low-carbon alternative that not only meets, but exceeds the properties of standard (CEM I) concrete. This allows the material to be used in all traditional applications: structural components like foundations, columns and beams; to walls, driveways, bridges, and more.
ECOPact Tiers
Rather than having a one-size-fits-all product, Holcim delivers ECOPact in a three-tiered system:
- ECOPact (30–50% reduction in carbon emissions)
- ECOPact Prime (50–70% reduction)
- ECOPACT Max (70–90% reduction)
Each tier can be enhanced with the addition of recycled concrete aggregates ECOPact+ range, according to the company. Kevin Peart, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Mountain Region, Holcim, believes that Holcim has become “one of the first movers in the concrete industry.”
For the Populus hotel, this sustainable concrete was integral to the design process. The project’s utilization of ECOPact accounts for 65% of the total cubic yards of concrete poured, with an anticipated reduction of 765 tons in the concrete's embodied carbon compared to traditional concrete.
A similar story is told at 55 H Street, a Georgetown University residence hall (above). The project team had a specific challenge: they needed a concrete blend capable of attaining a 28-day design strength of 5,000 psi, while also achieving a high-early strength of 3,000 psi within a span of two to three days. ECOPact delivered, and 55 H Street became “one of the most sustainable buildings in D.C.,” says Zachary Lovett, Project Pursuit Manager, Holcim.
As the built environment continues to find ways to reduce its impact on the planet, innovative materials like ECOPact may help drive the change that architects, engineers, and contractors desire.
Related Stories
| May 15, 2012
One World Trade Center goes to new height of sustainability
One of the biggest challenges in developing this concrete mixture was meeting the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey’s strict requirement for the replacement of cement.
| May 14, 2012
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture design Seoul’s Dancing Dragons
Supertall two-tower complex located in Seoul’s Yongsan International Business District.
| May 11, 2012
CRSI appoints Brace chairman
Stevens also elected to board of directors and vice-chair.
| May 8, 2012
Gensler & J.C. Anderson team for pro bono high school project in Chicago
City Year representatives came to Gensler for their assistance in the transformation of the organization’s offices within Orr Academy High School, which also serve as an academic and social gathering space for students and corps members.
| May 8, 2012
Morgan/Harbour completes three projects at Columbia Centre
Projects completed on behalf of property owner, White Oak Realty Partners, LLC, Pearlmark Realty Partners, LLC and Angelo Gordon & Co.
| May 7, 2012
2012 BUILDING TEAM AWARDS: TD Ameritrade Park
The new stadium for the College World Series in Omaha combines big-league amenities within a traditional minor league atmosphere.
| May 3, 2012
Ground broken for $94 million hospital expansion at Scripps Encinitas
New facility to more than double emergency department size, boost inpatient beds by 43%.
| May 2, 2012
Building Team completes two additions at UCLA
New student housing buildings are part of UCLA’s Northwest Campus Student Housing In-Fill Project.
| May 1, 2012
Construction is underway on MLK ambulatory care center in L.A.
Featuring a variety of sustainable features, the new facility is designed to achieve LEED Gold Certification.
| Apr 26, 2012
Orange County, Fla. high school receives NAIOP “Public Development of the Year” award
School replacement designed by SchenkelShultz Architecture and constructed by Williams Co.