Entries in the competition can be submitted until February 29, 2008 at www.holcimawards. org, says a press release.

The prize money for the five regional competitions and the global awards totals US$ 2 million. The awards are an initiative of the Swiss-based Holcim Foundation to encourage and inspire a built environment that goes beyond convention to address the challenges of sustainability.

The global competition showcases sustainable responses to technological, environmental, socioeconomic and cultural issues affecting contemporary building and construction.

The Awards are open to anyone involved with projects in the area of sustainable construction -- architects, planners, engineers, or project owners. All building projects are eligible for the competition if construction had not started before June 1 of this year. The first phase of the competition will select regional winners in 2008 that will automatically qualify for the global competition to be held in 2009.

In addition to construction projects at an advanced stage of design, the awards competition seeks visions and ideas at a conceptual level. This special category is open for professionals younger than 35 years of age.