Open to students and young architects, the Kaira Looro architecture competition aims to discover new talents and adopt sustainable architecture models for humanitarian purposes, to improve living conditions in developing countries. The 2025 edition invites participants to design a school that helps children discover and build their own identity.
Brief
From their early years, every child needs an education that fosters the development of their cognitive abilities while nurturing their emotions and social skills, preparing them to face life’s challenges with resilience and creativity. However, in many rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, childcare facilities are often inadequate and don’t provide a safe and stimulating environment where each child can develop and reach their full potential. The lack of such facilities jeopardises not only their educational journey but also their future ability to integrate, actively contribute to the development of the community and build an independent life.
The competition rises from this vital need. The challenge is to create an architectural model for a nursery school that safeguards and promotes the rights of every child, while nurturing their skills and igniting their curiosity about the world.
The project is to be designed for the rural areas of southern Senegal. The territory, mostly flat, stretches over about 200,000 km², on the hydrographic left of the river of the same name and the catchment areas of some smaller rivers such as the Gambia and the Casamance in the south, where lagoons develop. The territory also extends into the so-called ‘Sahel’: the transition zone between the arid Saharan and humid regions of Guinean Africa.
Project Requirements
The proposal must include the following areas or spaces, which can be developed in one or more architectural blocks:
- Classrooms: 5 classrooms, each capable of accommodating around 20 children.
- Offices: Spaces for administration and parent meetings.
- Educational play area: Versatile space for playing, creative workshops and physical activities.
- Infirmary: A space dedicated to attending injuries and illnesses.
- Dining area: A space for serving meals.
- Storage: A space for storing educational materials, toys and equipment.
- Toilets: Toilets for both children and school staff.
Prizes
- The winner of the 2025 Kaira Looro architecture competition will receive 5000€, an internship at Kengo Kuma and their project will be built.
- 2nd Prize: 2000€, internship at EMBT (Spain), ALA (UK) or SBGA (Italy)
- 3rd Prize: 1000€, internship at EMBT (Spain), ALA (UK) or SBGA (Italy)
- 2 Honourable Mentions: 100€
- All winners will be shared with partners, featured at exhibitions & events, published in the volume and receive a certificate.
