Sometimes it takes an architect to develop a sustainable product.
Case in point: Montreal-based NEUF architect(e)s launched DUAL, a low-carbon concrete brick developed through its Sustainable Strategies department—the firm’s first product innovation born directly from its in-house sustainability research. The initiative brings together NEUF, masonry distributor Webster & Sons, and leading concrete manufacturer Permacon to advance sustainable construction practices.
DUAL is designed to reduce life-cycle carbon emissions by over 20% compared to traditional bricks, thanks to its use of recycled materials and an innovative honeycomb structure that reduces raw material use by nearly one-third. The product is now available and meets CSA standards for concrete masonry. It also carries a certified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).
"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 cross-industry partnership began in 2022 with the goal of rapidly reducing each company’s environmental footprint. After two years of R&D at Permacon’s Anjou, Quebec, facility, the trio has produced a commercially viable product that combines durability, performance, and visual appeal with a significantly lower carbon impact.
(From left) William Webster, President Webster & Fils, Lucas Vallon, President Permacon and Hugo Gagnon, Partner Architect and Sustainability Manager at NEUF.
The DUAL brick is available in three colors—Zurich (grey), Petra (yellow), and Belfast (red)—and two formats: Metric Norman (57 x 90 x 290 mm) and Metric Jumbo (90 x 90 x 290 mm). Each unit has two usable faces—one smooth, one grooved—allowing for design flexibility. Its lightened design makes installation faster and more efficient, improving productivity on the jobsite.
"The Permacon team is determined to closely collaborate with architects to rethink the ways we build our world," says Lucas Vallon, president of Permacon. “We're acting today to protect the future, and to build the foundations of a more sustainable world for coming generations."
