The construction industry accounts for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, making sustainable innovation a critical challenge. Addressing this issue requires interdisciplinary collaboration—yet architects, builders, and manufacturers rarely work directly together to develop eco-friendly building materials that are both energy-efficient to produce and practical for widespread use.
NEUF architect(e)s is taking a bold step toward carbon neutrality with the launch of DUAL, an innovative and environmentally responsible concrete brick. This product, developed in partnership with Webster & Sons, a leader in masonry distribution, and Permacon, Canada’s largest manufacturer of concrete products, represents a significant advancement in sustainable construction.
“In this partnership, our role was to ensure that the product meets the needs of all stakeholders while achieving a 20% reduction in carbon emissions,” explains Hugo Gagnon, Partner Architect and Sustainability Manager at NEUF architect(e)s. “This close collaboration across disciplines is essential for innovative solutions to emerge”.
Gagnon took on multiple perspectives in the development process—considering the needs of masons seeking ease of handling, developers responding to market demands, and municipalities prioritizing quality and heritage conservation. Additionally, he approached the project from an architectural standpoint, ensuring the brick supports creative design.
Photography: Virginie Gosselin
Established in 2022, this partnership was formed with a shared commitment to reducing the environmental footprint of the construction sector. The result is a concrete brick designed to be both sustainable and economically competitive, catering to architects, developers, builders, and decision-makers alike.
Following two years of research and development at Permacon’s Anjou facility, the DUAL brick is now market-ready. Its composition and physical properties have been optimized for durability and sustainability, with ongoing studies aiming to further reduce its carbon footprint in future iterations.
William Webster, President of Webster & Sons, highlights the importance of innovation in sustainable construction: “Webster has supported the architecture community with advanced masonry solutions for over a century. The DUAL concrete brick embodies our mission—offering enhanced design possibilities while prioritizing environmental responsibility.”
The DUAL concrete brick: a game-changer in sustainable architecture
The DUAL brick significantly reduces material consumption—using nearly one-third less material than traditional concrete bricks—through an innovative honeycomb design. It meets CSA standards for concrete masonry and includes a certified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), confirming a 20% reduction in life-cycle carbon emissions, primarily due to its incorporation of recycled materials.
Photography: NEUF architect(e)s
Product Features
– Three natural shades: Zurich (grey), Petra (yellow), and Belfast (red)
– Two formats: metric norman (57 x 90 x 290 mm) and metric jumbo (90 x 90 x 290 mm)
– Dual-sided design: each brick has a **smooth and grooved face**, allowing for aesthetic flexibility
– Optimized handling: the honeycomb structure enhances ease of installation and improves efficiency on construction sites
With its combination of aesthetic appeal, functional design, and sustainability, DUAL sets a new standard for environmentally conscious building materials.
Lucas Vallon, President of Permacon, underscores the company’s long-term vision: “At Permacon, we work closely with architects to rethink construction methods for a more sustainable world. With nine local plants, we are committed to developing innovative, low-carbon solutions. The DUAL concrete brick perfectly embodies this mission—building today for a greener tomorrow.”
With this pioneering collaboration, NEUF architect(e)s, Webster & Sons, and Permacon are proving that sustainability in construction is not just possible, it’s already happening.
Technical sheet
Weight per cube (kg): 1391
Rows per cube: 10 Sq. ft. per row: 12
Sq. ft. per cube: 120
Coverage: 3 bricks
Amt per cube: 260 bricks
Standard: CSA A165.2
Compression resistance: 20 MPa
Density: > 2000 kg/m³
Absorption: 8%
Dimensional tolerances: Thickness: ±2.0 mm / Height: ±2.0 mm / Length: ±2.0 mm
Fire resistance (NBC): 0.8 hours
Global warming potential (CO2-eq kg): 170 (Petra) / 189 (Belfast) / 172 (Zurich)
Acidification potential (SO2-eq kg): 1.01 (Petra) / 1.03 (Belfast) / 1.01 (Zurich)
Eutrophication potential (N-eq kg): 0.20 (Petra) / 0.20 (Belfast) / 0.20 (Zurich)
Smog creation potential (O3-eq kg): 20.5 (Petra) / 20.7 (Belfast) / 20.6 (Zurich)
Ozone-depletion potential (CFC-11-eq kg): 2.39E-5 (Petra) / 1.15E-5 (Belfast) / 3.40E-5 (Zurich)
Carbon sequestration (SO2-eq kg): 21 (Petra) / 21 (Belfast) / 21 (Zurich)
