"The awards are meant to encourage green architecture," he told a news conference. "Projects can be of any size."

The main Holcim Awards competition is open to participants of every age for projects at an advanced stage of design with a high probability of execution.

To be eligible for entry, the project must not have commenced execution prior to June 1, 2007, Schwarz said.

The awards are open to anyone involved with projects in the area of sustainable construction – architects, planners, engineers or project owners

The competition is comprised of five regional awards, based on the regions of Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa Middle East, and Asia Pacific, and the global Holcim Awards.

The total prize money of the regional and global awards is two million dollars.

A separate category to encourage young professionals of less than 35 years of age called 'Next Generation' is open to projects at a conceptual level or early stage of design.

The Holcim Foundation was set up by the cement manufacturer to promote innovative approaches to sustainable construction mainly through awards competitions and an international forum.

It aims to encourage sustainable responses to the technological, environmental, socio-economic and cultural issues affecting building and construction, regionally as well as globally, Schwarz said.