Has reached its seventh edition "Kaira Looro", the international architecture competition for students and young architects, the objective of which is to grow up careers of new architectural talent, raise awareness in the international community regarding the topics of emergency, and support humanitarian projects.
Since last Friday, 13rd January 2023, registrations have been open for the 2023 edition which requires the design of an elementary school in the rural areas of Senegal.
The aim of the selection process is to select an architectural model of a primary school that can raise the level of education for children, secure the right to study, ensure health and provide the psycho- physical and health conditions necessary to develop each student’s potential. A facility that is not only limited to school courses, but that can host cross-curricular activities is ideal, a place that is not only a school but also a community. Through architecture, shapes and colors, the aim is to create a model that inspires confidence in the students, the community and the authorities. A unique and symbolic, yet simple, place of identity in which every child can find themselves and begin to build their future.
The project must be conceived as feasible in a process of a humanitarian intervention and self- construction, i.e., without qualified personnel and with the direct participation of the local community; it must, therefore, meet certain construction requirements.
©Balouo Salo
Participation is open to architects, students, designers, engineers, and anyone who wants to propose a solution to the theme. It is possible to participate in the competition individually or in teams, with one requirement: the presence of under 35 years old on the team.
Calendar & Deadlines:
Early registrations: 13rd Jan - 28th Febr 2023
Normal registrations: 1st March - 9th Apr 2023
Late registrations: 10th Apr - 15th May 2023
FAQ answer deadline: 1st June 2023
Submissions Deadline: 11st June 2023
Jury evaluation: 2rth June - 01st July 2023
Winners announcements: 10th July 2023
The entries received will be evaluated by a jury made up of prominent architects: Kengo Kuma (Kengo Kuma & Associates), Benedetta Tagliabue (EMBT Miralles Tagliabue), Agostino Ghirardelli (SBGA | Blengini Ghirardelli), Manuel Aires Mateus (Aires Mateus Architects), Raul Pantaleo (TAM Associati), Mphethi Morojele (MMA Design Studio), emmanuelle moureaux (Emmanuelle Moureaux Architecture + Design), Saad El Kabbaj, Driss Kettani e Mohamed Amine Siana and an scientific committee made up of Raoul Vecchio (Balouo Salo), Sebastiano D’Urso (University of Catania and other specialist in architecture and humanitarian actions.
Awards will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, 2 honorable mentions, 2 special mentions, 20 finalists, and 20 Top 50. The winning project will receive a cash prize (5.000 €) and an internship at Kengo Kuma & Associates studio in Japan, as well as the construction of the project as humanitarian intervention.
The other internships will be awarded to the 2nd place team at the EMBT Miralles Tagliabue in Spain and to the 3rd place at the SBGA Blengini Ghiradelli in Italy, and respectively 2.000€ and 1.000€. Furthermore, all of the projects will be published on the competition’s website and in its official book, transmitted to 30 of the competition’s global media partners, and shared with institutional partners.
The competition is organized by the Balouo Salo Non-Profit Organization, engaged in charitable projects in Africa, and all proceeds (obtained from the registration fees), will be entirely donated to the implementation of humanitarian projects in Africa to improve the living conditions of communities in rural areas.
Archilovers and Archiportale are media partners of the competition.
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