Mumbai: ACC has extended financial support to the construction of what it says is expected to turn out to be the most exemplary sustainable building on the Indian subcontinent.

The building, based in New Delhi, will house the headquarters of Development Alternatives, a reputed non-government organisation. Providing spaces for offices, training, conferences and technical research, the structure is being built by local workers using chiefly local materials that embody little energy.

Refined passive and evaporation systems keep the building cool with minimum energy consumption, even in the hot climate. The building is also very user friendly - and its pioneering technologies can easily be adopted in other locations. With notable technical, environmental, social and cultural merit, the building will come to serve as a laboratory and testimonial for sustainable construction in tropical and subtropical zones.

Development Alternatives, respected as a center for excellence in sustainable habitat, promotes commercially viable, environmentally friendly technologies and helps predominantly poor people to create sustainable habitats themselves.

Dr Ashok Khosla, a leading global expert in the environment and sustainable development, founded this NGO. The architect of the project is Ashok B. Lall, principal of a leading architectural firm in New Delhi and Dean of Studies at the TVB School of Habitat Studies.

Paul Hugentobler, deputy chairman, ACC, and Holcim executive committee member, explained, "Holcim, ACC and Development Alternatives pursue similar goals. The promotion of a sustainable society is for us more than lip service; on all continents Holcim seeks partnerships with organisations that concretely contribute to sustainable improvement of livelihoods and habitats.

"We are looking forward to a long-term partnership with Development Alternatives and other like minded organizations that will enable Holcim and ACC to take an active lead within the Indian cement industry in establishing solutions for improved rural livelihoods," Hugentobler added.

ACC has joined hands with the Swiss-based Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction to promote and encourage sustainable construction projects as part of its nationwide programme for corporate social responsibility. The Holcim Foundation is backed by the Holcim group, of which ACC is now a part.

The Foundation was established to support innovative approaches to sustainable construction worldwide - through global design competitions and international forums, and by financially supporting important research and construction projects.

This is the first time that both ACC and the Holcim Foundation, have stepped forward with financial support amounting to Rs1.30 crore (Approximately $ 320,000) to a construction project.