Lafarge makes contributions to KONE Centre’s green design

Words: Dawn StefanoThe recently completed KONE Centre - featuring 125,000 square feet of office, restaurant, and retail space - is a showcase for sustainability along the Mississippi River in Moline, IL. The eight-story structure's sustainable design includes 1,365 solar panels, light-harvesting technology, locally sourced recycled and renewable construction materials, and a host of energy-efficient building components. In addition, the shape of the building follows the solar axis and takes advantage of natural daylight.

A spectacular addition to the city's riverfront when it officially opened in August, the multi-use facility was constructed with high-performance concrete containing Lafarge North America products: True Lite Lightweight AggregateTM and a blended cement that included Class C fly ash and NewCem® slag cement. These products, which are considered post-industrial recycled materials, made essential contributions to meeting the sustainable construction goals of the KONE Centre, which is expected to earn a LEED® Gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The use of supplementary cementitious materials, such as fly ash and slag cement, as a partial replacement for portland cement can help designers and builders recycle industrial by-products, achieve higher performance from concrete mixtures, and earn points toward LEED certification of their projects. These blended cements have many properties that contribute to sustainable design-they produce stronger, longer-lasting concrete, reduce the consumption of nonrenewable raw materials, consume less energy, and turn by-products from other industries into resources that would otherwise be disposed of in landfills. Fly ash is derived from burning coal in electric utility plants, and slag cement is produced from granulated blast furnace slag, a by-product of the iron-making process.

Lafarge True Lite Lightweight Aggregate is also a recycled by-product of the iron production process. Approximately 35 percent lighter than most natural aggregates, this expanded slag product conforms to the U.S. and Canadian governments' environmentally preferable purchasing programs and qualifies for points under many LEED credit categories. It offers excellent fire resistance, thermal insulating, and sound absorption capabilities and can help reduce heating and air-conditioning costs due to the capillary nature of the aggregate.
About: Featured
The Cornerstone of Success: Safety and Documentation in Masonry
April 2025

The masonry industry plays a vital role in constructing our homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Yet, beneath the enduring beauty of brick and stone lies a complex and often hazardous work environment. Ensuring the safety of workers and maintaining docu

Erin Laird
Featured MAP Partner
Safety Training
Read More
How It's Made: Natural Stone Veneer
April 2025

Natural stone veneer is a durable, versatile, and aesthetically pleasing building material that has been used for centuries. It adds timeless beauty to masonry projects while offering structural integrity and resilience. But how does natural stone veneer

Rob McKay
Featured MAP Partner
Read More
Vibing Masonry #5 - The Evolution of Concrete Masonry Units: From Ancient Foundations to Modern Innovations
April 2025

Early Development: The Genesis of Concrete Blocks (early Rome to 1900s) The history of concrete masonry units (CMUs) or concrete blocks begins with humanity’s earliest binding materials, notably the Romans’ remarkable concrete. Around AD 125, structures l

Steve Blye
Featured
General Education Residential Restoration
Read More
MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 18 Recap: Jeff Tew, Westlake Royal Stone Solutions
April 2025

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Jeff Tew joins the show, along with MCAA President Jeff Buczkiewicz, to talk about where his passion for this industry started and what it's been like working on the Supplier side of the industry. An Excitin

Justin Stengel
Featured
Training
Read More