The construction sector generates almost 40% of carbon emissions worldwide. Working toward solving this enormous challenge of lowering greenhouse gases in our buildings requires cooperation across disciplines, where it is rare for architects to work directly with product manufacturers who can develop a sustainable product requiring less energy to create, and which can then be tested by builders to ensure its easy adoption.

NEUF architect(e)s represents one of the few firms taking a significant step in bringing the construction industry toward carbon neutrality by launching DUAL, an innovative, ecologically responsible concrete brick marking the firm's first research-action partnership to emerge from its Sustainable Strategies department. This product brings together two of Eastern Canada's most prominent companies in construction: Webster — which specializes in masonry distribution, and Permacon — the country's largest manufacturer of concrete products. Available now, DUAL represents a significant advancement in sustainable construction.

"In this partnership, our role was to ensure that a product responds to all end-use needs, while aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 20%," explains Hugo Gagnon, Partner Architect and Sustainability Manager at NEUF. "I played the part of the mason who wants ease of product handling, the developer who must respond to market demands, and the municipalities who demand both quality and heritage conservation. Of course, I also had to take on the role of an architect looking to express their concepts. I believe this approach to close collaboration is essential for innovative practices to emerge."

The partnership

The partnership was created in 2022 to quickly solve the problem of reducing their individual environmental footprints within the construction sector. Designing a new approach to bricks is a tangible outcome of their shared commitment to developing an environmentally and socially sensitive product that is economically competitive with a universal design for everyone — architects, developers, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers.

After two years of research in Permacon's newest plant in Anjou, the DUAL concrete brick product range is market-ready. Product experts have optimized its composition and physical properties to maximize performance and sustainability. Studies are already underway to further reduce the carbon footprint of the next generation of concrete products, reinforcing the three partners' commitment to a sustainable future.

"Webster supports the architecture community with concrete solutions that offer more design possibilities and provide future-focused environmental responsibility," notes William Webster, President of Webster & Sons. "With more than a hundred years of collaborating with masonry companies, we understand the importance of designing materials that facilitate use and productivity. Through its unique aesthetic and innovative approach to sustainability, the new DUAL concrete brick completely reflects the mission and vision of Webster & Sons."

The DUAL concrete brick

The DUAL concrete brick reduces the amount of materials used by almost a third compared to traditional concrete, thanks to innovative honeycombing in its design. It conforms to CSA standards for concrete masonry, and it comes with a certified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) indicating a reduction of more than 20% in life-cycle carbon emissions, primarily attributed to including recycled materials in its composition.

The product range comprises three natural shades and two formats:

- Zurich (grey) / Petra (yellow) / Belfast (red);

- Metric Norman (57 x 90 x 290 mm) / Metric Jumbo (90 x 90 x 290 mm)

Each of the six options comes with two usable faces – one smooth and one grooved - which can be varied and adapted to any project. The honeycombs' dimensions and strategic arrangement make construction site handling easy, so installation is faster and more efficient. With its unique design and ecological benefits, DUAL creates a new benchmark for sustainable construction, combining aesthetics, efficiency, and environmental credentials.

"The Permacon team is determined to closely collaborate with architects to rethink the ways we build our world," says Lucas Vallon, President of Permacon. "With nine local plants, we develop innovative, sustainable solutions that help reduce carbon impacts. We're acting today to protect the future, and to build the foundations of a more sustainable world for coming generations. The new DUAL concrete brick is the perfect product for this ambitious vision."