Tall & Urban News

The construction of the 27-story Tilia Tower, led by the Induni-Maulini consortium, began in spring 2024 and is on schedule to reach completion in 2026. Located in Lausanne’s Malley district, it will feature 221 rental apartments and nearly 4,000 square meters of space dedicated to dining, co-working, and wellness. The project is notable for its modern architecture and strong emphasis on reducing its carbon footprint.

A key component of the Tilia Tower's sustainability efforts is the use of LC3 (Limestone Calcined Clay Cement), a low-carbon cement developed by EPFL’s Construction Materials Laboratory. LC3 reduces CO2 emissions by up to 40 percent compared to traditional cement by replacing a significant portion of the carbon-intensive clinker with limestone and calcined clay. This marks the first use of LC3 in a European construction project, where it will make up about one-third of the cement used.

The construction team has already utilized LC3 cement in the tower’s underground structure and will continue to use it for above-ground walls, slabs, and supports. The material’s warmer color, a result of its eco-friendly components, allows it to be used in exposed architectural elements, offering both strength and aesthetic appeal.

Despite a slight cost increase of around three percent, the use of LC3 is seen as a cost-effective choice over the life of the project due to its long-term environmental benefits. The proximity of EPFL’s research team to the construction site provides valuable insights into the material’s performance, ensuring that LC3 is effectively integrated into the project.

Learn more at EPFL News